Rafael Benitez says he will continue to rotate his squad as Chelsea look to cling onto a top-four place.
Their 2-0 defeat at Manchester City means they remain only two points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal and will be leapfrogged by fourth-placed Tottenham if Spurs beat West Ham on Monday.
Benitez, whose side are also competing in the FA Cup and Europa League, left out John Terry and Fernando Torres at the Etihad Stadium and has indicated that other players could do with a rest.
“We are playing too many games – games every three days,” said the interim manager.
“You have to manage your squad. Some players have fresh legs and you can play them.
“We can manage in the three competitions. But if we feel we need to prioritise something, we will do it.”
Chelsea’s loss to the reigning champions was a major blow to their hopes of a top-two finish and means they also remain under pressure in the race for Champions League places.
Benitez admitted: “When you lose you have to be disappointed and this game was important for us because we could have been closer to City.
“But we cannot give up. We have to carry on, try to win our games and get close.
“We have to fight for the top four because Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton are close behind.”
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This post was last modified on 24/02/2013
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I knw Chelsea will nt want to lose by next season, so there are some players dat really need to go like Torres, Ramires, Oriol and Yossi, Chelseafc should not keep them any longer. Letting Lampard go will cause a lot of problem with his experience chelsea should keep him, when window open in summer they should try to get Willian, Cavani and Fellaini. As for coach Rafa must not stay if chelsea is not planning for relegation by next season.
With the way I look at it, Rafa did not know how to make a good selection instead he'll be complaining while he is killing the players and the Club. I kwon by now the owner will have regreted of sacking Robbie. Rafa removed Mikel and Lampard most especially Hazard shows that he does not know what his doing. Ramires was there playing rubbish he left him instead he angrily removed Lampard because he missed a penalty. May I tell you that if care is not taking Chelsea will loose out of the top four. When Robbie was there we were four (4) points behind of Man United but now is nineteen (19) points behind I think their spirit (Coach and the Players) did not work together. All what the players really need now is to get them a Coach that will inspire them and they (players) will understand the Coach too. If the owner (Abrahamovic) will not care about what the board cares about, let him get back Robbie or Jose, there are some head you cannot sheet, those are the people for now that can lift the spirit of these players. If Rafa is still there Chelsea will continue to loose and they may fall victim of not achieving anything talkless of keeping him (Rafa) next season Chelsea will not only lose out but relegated. There is no first eleven, he'll remove a player that he dont suppose to remove shows he did not know what he's doing, these are the things that is killing the team for now.
Benitez dont kno wat he is doing..he is confuse
Why should Rafa keep on Rotating players plz it killing d plyrs