With Chelsea having won 11 and drawn three of our last 14 matches at Stamford Bridge, and with only one defeat of our last 10 Premier League games overall, Rafael Benitez has expressed satisfaction in the team’s good form in the closing weeks of the season.
The Blues go into the final day of the league season looking to secure automatic qualification into next season’s Champions League group stage, which having returned from Amsterdam with the Europa League trophy, would complete a good week.
‘It is important to understand that when you compete for trophies, the end [of the season] is normally when you win trophies and it is important for a top side to be strong at the end,’ Benitez told Chelsea TV
‘We saw that we have the confidence and the belief that we can beat anyone, and this stage of the season is crucial.’
The manager is not taking the challenge of winning three points from Everton lightly, and believes today’s visitors will be determined to give their out-going manager David Moyes the best possible send off.
‘I think they will try to do their best until the end and we have to do the same,’ he said.
‘We play at home and we know that if we win we will be third, and we will do our best and make sure we can enjoy it.’
In the full preview interview which can be watched now via the channel’s online access, Benitez also talks about Juan Mata and Frank Lampard, both of whom have enjoyed a week to remember.
The interview also makes up part of Chelsea TV’s exclusive build-up show ahead of the game which is free to view on Sky Digital channel 421 (UK only) from 2.30pm.
There is also an interview with Cesar Azpilicueta, plus the latest team news and a look back at the show’s best bits of the season.