Andy Townsend: I can understand Rafa's frustrations

Former Chelsea player Andy Townsend said that he could understand Benitez's frustrations.

He told ITV Sport:

"He's got a point about the interim manager scenario...why did they need to do that?

"He's been given the manager job, call him the manager....They gave him a job until the end of the season; there was no need to compound that and give people a stick to beat him with. I don't really see the need for that."

He added: "Ultimately the Chelsea hierarchy those at the very top, are responsible for all this mess.

"They've got some very talented young players and those young players at the moment don't know who's in charge and who isn't. And that is never good. It's never good when you're standing there looking at your boss and you don't know how long he's going to be there.

The former midfielder also said that fans could do more to support the team:

"I can understand the fans' frustrations towards him, but he's got the job now, get behind the team.

"You can make banners about how much you don't like Benitez - start making some banners about how much you love the club and love the players that are out there trying to do it for you."

However, he said that Benitez must have known what he was letting himself in for at the club.

He said: "The history that he had at Liverpool against Chelsea was always going to be an issue for Rafa....It's an awkward situation for players, for everybody, and I can understand Benitez's frustrations, but he must have known what he was letting himself in for coming to Chelsea."