Chelsea boss searching for consistency

Rafael Benitez says finding consistency is Chelsea’s biggest challenge during the all-important run-in to the season.

The Blues will be looking to bounce back in their FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United, having slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Southampton on Saturday.

Interim manager Benitez was again barracked by Chelsea fans at St Mary’s, but he insists his team remain one of the best sides in the Premier League.

He said: “We are stronger than a lot of teams. We can still play very good football and compete against anyone.

“United are top of the table and we were much better than them in the first game, so I think we can compete.

“But when you play two games per week and it has been the same for months, maybe it is not easy.

“The question is about consistency. We have to be more consistent and it’s something we will try to do until the end of the season.

“If we play at the level we have played in the last week or so, we can beat anyone, so it’s just a question of having this link between players, getting everybody focused and not making mistakes.”

And Benitez continues to insist that he is unfazed by the anger being directed towards him by disgruntled Chelsea supporters.

“Can you see me down? No, I am concentrating on doing my best for the team,” he said.

“Chelsea finished sixth last year – this year we are in a better position at the moment. So we have to keep doing well and trying to be in the top four.

“We still play some nice football and score a lot of goals, but we still have to be more consistent.”

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