Fernando Torres and Demba Ba train ahead of Chelsea's Easter Saturday clash against Southampton
Rafa Benitez insists Chelsea won't be
looking over their shoulders and instead believes Manchester City can
be caught in the final games of the season.
Benitez's men are four points adrift of City ahead of their trip to Southampton on Saturday.
The Saints are battling for survival, four points above the drop, with just nine games of the season remaining.
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'I would like to see us reduce the
gap,' said Benitez. 'They (City) will be concerned like we are with
Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton.
'The main things are that you are a team. We are playing very good football, so if you keep the momentum going I won't be worried about the other teams but watching Manchester City.'
The Chelsea manager confirmed that captain John Terry would be available for selection this weekend.
'He has been training and doing well.
I am very pleased with him,' Benitez added. 'He is training every day
and improving his fitness.
'But we’ve got nine games in four days, he can’t play every game. That goes for all the players.'
Fernando Torres was among a select group of Chelsea stars left behind during the international break after he missed out on selection to the Spain squad for their qualifiers against Finland and France.
'He has been training harder,' said Benitez. 'Spain has a lot of good players so it’s normal he can be left out of the list.
'He has been working very hard.
Not just Fernando, but all the players want to prove themselves.
Strikers want to score goals, but for me it is also what he does for the
team.'
Chelsea are poised to play four matches in nine games starting with their clash at Southampton before their FA Cup replay with Manchester United on Easter Monday.
They then host Rubin Kazan in the Europa League next Thursday.
It’s better to have these games than be at home watching the TV,' Benitez said. 'Yes, this is a defining period. The last months are when you fight for trophies. 'We have to win to win trophies.'
Benitez has been impressed with
Southampton this season, both under Nigel Adkins, whose team secured a
2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in his final game as manager, and now under
Mauricio Pochettino.
'He is doing well. It is not an easy job for a new manager,' Benitez said. 'They were doing well with Adkins. I had a very good opinion of them before and I have a good opinion now.'
Southampton remain in danger of relegation but Benitez said: 'My feeling is they have a good team, they have a good understanding of the game and some good players so they have a chance (of staying up).'
Benitez's men are four points adrift of City ahead of their trip to Southampton on Saturday.
The Saints are battling for survival, four points above the drop, with just nine games of the season remaining.
Scroll down for video
Strike: Fernando Torres and Demba Ba train ahead of Chelsea's Easter Saturday clash against Southampton
'The main things are that you are a team. We are playing very good football, so if you keep the momentum going I won't be worried about the other teams but watching Manchester City.'
The Chelsea manager confirmed that captain John Terry would be available for selection this weekend.
Case for the defence: John Terry, seen here with David Luiz, has impressed manager Rafa Benitez
Premier League bottom six
'But we’ve got nine games in four days, he can’t play every game. That goes for all the players.'
Fernando Torres was among a select group of Chelsea stars left behind during the international break after he missed out on selection to the Spain squad for their qualifiers against Finland and France.
All eyes on Blue: Benitez believes Chelsea's next round of matches will be a defining period for the club
Chelsea are poised to play four matches in nine games starting with their clash at Southampton before their FA Cup replay with Manchester United on Easter Monday.
They then host Rubin Kazan in the Europa League next Thursday.
It’s better to have these games than be at home watching the TV,' Benitez said. 'Yes, this is a defining period. The last months are when you fight for trophies. 'We have to win to win trophies.'
That's handy: Mauricio Pochettino puts his team through their paces ahead of Saturday's clash with Chelsea
'He is doing well. It is not an easy job for a new manager,' Benitez said. 'They were doing well with Adkins. I had a very good opinion of them before and I have a good opinion now.'
Southampton remain in danger of relegation but Benitez said: 'My feeling is they have a good team, they have a good understanding of the game and some good players so they have a chance (of staying up).'
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