Rafael Benitez has claimed his Chelsea players are united and fully behind their interim first-team manager despite the outpouring of frustration between coaching staff and squad in the wake of Sunday’s Premier League defeat at Manchester City.

The Spaniard acknowledged there had been an “exchange of opinions” with senior players before training on Monday after he gathered the group in a huddle to begin their assessment of the 2-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium.

The intensity of the debate reflected the mounting exasperation within the set-up at the slack form that is jeopardising their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Benitez, ahead of this evening’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Middlesbrough, suggested he retains their support. “I can guarantee the players know what we’re trying to do and believe in what we’re trying to do, 100 per cent,” he said.

Guardian Service