Rafael Benitez's fuzzy thinking is damaging Blues' hopes

Chelsea boss needs to get his priorities right after more strange calls yesterday
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James Olley26 February 2013

“Rafa doesn’t like the word ‘rotation’,” said a Chelsea source prior to kick-off yesterday. “He prefers the term ‘squad management.”

Whatever it’s called, Rafael Benitez (above) isn’t doing a very good job. In the Spaniard’s desperate pursuit of silverware to promote his candidacy for permanent employment, Chelsea are beginning to look like they could chase everything and end up with nothing.

Defeat to Manchester City surely ends their interest in finishing second and instead raises the prospect of a three-way London battle for the remaining two Champions League places with Manchester United racing certainties to win the Premier League.

The Blues hold an advantage in third place – although that could be surrendered this evening if Tottenham win their game in hand at West Ham – but the apocalyptic scenario of a second successive season outside the top four is a possibility at least.

There is no implausible European success that can save them this time. Of course, both Spurs and Arsenal have their respective flaws with neither conclusively suggesting they are capable of the requisite consistency to secure a top-four berth.

But the same can be levelled of Chelsea, who have gradually fallen away from the northern duo at the top down towards the southern pair behind.

Benitez has not deserved all the criticism he has faced since controversially replacing Roberto di Matteo in November but his decision-making is coming under intense scrutiny as Chelsea falter.

That Chelsea source was attempting to explain the absence of John Terry from the starting line-up for a match of this significance. The Chelsea captain is being eased back into regular action after returning from a knee problem but last week he declared himself fully fit and would not have wanted to miss this.

Gary Cahill gave a passable impersonation with a combative display. But while Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez produced moments of outstanding quality to settle yesterday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium, it is hard to imagine Terry would have allowed the pair the space Chelsea did in his absence.

Terry has many flaws but commitment and a willingness to throw his body in the line of fire have never been among them. His omission was baffling, as is the intermittent use of Oscar, with Benitez opting for Ramires in a right-sided role that he failed to perform even adequately.

And when trailing by a goal, Benitez opted to remove Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard – two palpable goal threats – and send on Oscar and Victor Moses to little effect. By the time Fernando Torres entered the fray inside the final ten minutes, Chelsea had lost all semblance of shape.

Benitez’s substitutions have regularly caused consternation among the Chelsea faithful but his rotation policy – sorry, squad management policy – is clearly ineffective.

Chelsea did not respond to Lampard’s penalty miss – forcing a brilliant save from Joe Hart, who had conceded the spot-kick by felling Demba Ba – with any defiance. In fact, they were largely abject throughout, their creative talents only briefing flickering into life.

Perhaps it was fatigue. Perhaps Roberto Mancini’s tactical plan in opting for an additional midfielder nullified their threat. Whatever the explanation, Benitez needs to correct the issue quickly.

Every top side requires interchangeable players in certain positions to handle the volume of matches – United’s progress this season is based largely on that ability.

Benitez famously named different sides in 99 consecutive matches at Liverpool and only once since he took charge at Stamford Bridge have Chelsea named the same line-up in successive matches.

However, Benitez’s methods are not having a regenerative effect. They lacked enthusiasm for the fight against City. Performances are often flat and it is plausible the first signs of wear and tear are appearing for a team that played their 47 game of a gruelling season yesterday.

“I will tell you if it is in maybe one or two weeks,” said Benitez. “At the moment, I think we still have energy and players that are coming back from injuries or the African Cup of Nations that we can use,” he said. “We can use different players. I think that will be fine but it depends on the next two or three games and we will see how we are but I think we will be OK.

“We can manage in the three competitions. We know that we can do it – if we feel that we need to prioritise something, we will do it.”

Surely that time has come. While FA Cup or Europa League success would provide a tangible return for Benitez, the club cannot afford a season without Champions League football, especially with tighter financial restrictions on the horizon.

Terry will surely play against Middlesbrough in Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth round tie but it seems ludicrous David Luiz took his place yesterday given his questionable defensive resilience and City’s attacking power.

If players need to be rested, the cups are the logical place to do it. There is still enough life in the elder statesman – Lampard’s fury at being replace was obvious – to keep Chelsea in the top four until the summer when the next stage of the squad’s transition can proceed under a permanent manager.

There was a point yesterday where Ramires was told he was being substituted before a hasty rethink saw Eden Hazard leave the field. It encapsulated the fuzzy thinking. Benitez quickly needs some clarity.

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