Rafael Benitez praises "great" Roberto Mancini

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has praised the work of Roberto Mancini ahead of his side's meeting with Manchester City on Sunday.

The Spaniard, who has failed to strike up a relationship with the majority of Chelsea's supporters since replacing Roberto Di Matteo in November, has insisted that he would prefer to "concentrate" on his own job as opposed to Mancini's.

"He's a great manager with some experience, so he can do well," ESPN quotes Benitez as saying. "I don't talk about other managers. I concentrate on my own job.

"Hopefully we can continue that record. City are a great team. They've improved in the last few years, spent money, have good players, a great manager, and a good atmosphere around the club."

Chelsea currently sit four points behind this weekend's opponents in the Premier League table.