Torres was seven times more effective at Liverpool in Benitez’s mandate, than at Chelsea.
“Out of respect for Liverpool fans, I could never go to coach Chelsea. It’s a nice club, but I could not betray Liverpool”. These were the words of Rafa Benitez, spoken in 2007, back when he coached the Reds.
Five years later, Benitez is preparing to debut as Chelsea manager, although it is contested by supporters. The Iberian coach will have part by a fire start tomorrow on the Stamford Bridge in a debut match on the Blues’ bench against Manchester City, eliminated from the Champions League. It’s the duel between 1st and 3rd place in the Premier League, and a victory could mean a happy start for Benitez, whose mission is the revitalization of Fernando Torres, a player who scored 74 goals in 114 matches for Liverpool in the Iberian’s mandate. Seven times more efficient than at Chelsea, where he has scored just 19 goals in 86 games. “Only Benitez could wake up Torres” commented the journalists.
9 trophies won Benitez as coach, with Valencia, Liverpool and Inter Milan.