Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has no doubts that outgoing interim manager Rafael Benitez deserves respect for helping the club finish the season with glory.
The Spaniard took charge in November until the end of the campaign following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, which proved to be an unpopular move with a large number of Blues supporters.
However, Benitez helped guide Chelsea to third place in the Premier League as well as the Europa League crown, and Torres insists that the 53-year-old should be given credit for operating in difficult circumstances.
"He helped to give the team confidence back after a difficult period in November," Torres told Chelsea's official website. "The only thing he wanted was to do his best and to try to help Chelsea to come back from a difficult situation.
"Credit to the players as well because it is not easy to play so many games in a season and especially in the last couple of months, the team has shown more character and as a team.
"We have performed much better than in the beginning of the season when maybe individuality was the key for us. It is something to build up from and I think everyone wishes him all the best now."
Chelsea are expected to reappoint Jose Mourinho as their new boss following the announcement that he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the campaign.
Matt Cotton
