Thursday, 23 February 2012

Rafa Agent Denies Chelsea Approach


Rafa Benitez's agent insists there has been no approach from Chelsea after recent speculation linked the former Liverpool boss with the Stamford Bridge club.

There were several reports on Thursday morning which suggested the west London club had approached Benitez with a view to him replacing the under-fire Andre Villas-Boas.

But Manuel Garcia Quilon insisted Chelsea had not been in touch, although he again admitted his client remains keen on a return to the Premier League.

"There is nothing official," he said.

"It's only media speculation and we have not been approached by Chelsea.

"We would only evaluate that possibility once there is an offer."
Slumped

Chelsea have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games and slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Napoli in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.

And with reports of dressing room revolt, it has been suggested notoriously trigger-happy Blues owner Roman Abramovich is considering a coaching change.

Benitez is available having been out of work since his sacking by Inter Milan in December 2010 and has a track record of success having led Liverpool to Champions League and FA Cup glory and Valencia to two La Liga titles.

The Spaniard was strongly linked with a move to Paris St Germain earlier this year but Quilon insists the 51-year-old wants to work again in England.

"Benitez's priority is to coach in the Premier League," he said.