Tony Pulis: 'Rafael Benitez deserves time at Chelsea'

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes that Chelsea should give interim boss Rafael Benitez the permanent role at Stamford Bridge.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich has been known to make swift dismissals from the Chelsea hotseat but Pulis has claimed that former Liverpool boss Benitez will only be able to prove himself if his stay is extended from the end of the season.

"He has proved before at football clubs that he can manage at the highest level but he needs the opportunity, and that does not mean weeks or months, you have got to give people time," BBC Sport quotes Pulis as saying.

Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League table, 14 points adrift of leaders Manchester United.