Abramovich no longer wants Barcelona style at Chelsea, says Benitez
Wednesday 28 November 2012
Rafael Benitez has revealed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given up on replicating the Barcelona style at the Premier League club, insisting the billionaire is realistic in the demands placed upon the manager, according to the Daily Mirror.
Rather than identifying a specific club to ape, Abramovich is said to want simply to see Chelsea play attractive, attacking football, according to interim manager Benitez, who last week replaced Roberto Di Matteo in the dugout on a contract to last until next summer.
Abramovich and Benitez were joined by Chelsea director of football Michael Emenalo and captain John Terry to watch the club’s U-21 side in action and discussed a range of topics. Benitez added that Abramovich understands Chelsea cannot replicate the bond shared by the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, all graduates of the Barcelona academy and schooled in a way of playing that is enshrined at the club.
Benitez said: “It’s possible to play attacking football, like Barcelona, with these players, But I have spent some time with Roman, and we were not talking about the Barcelona style.
“ Roman says he wants to see the team playing well and winning, but not with the Barcelona style. He knows we don’t have Messi, Xavi, Iniesta - players who have been working together for years. Roman is realistic, I’m sure.”
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