Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has praised the manager Rafa Benitez by saying that he has done an extremely good job. Benitez managed to guide Chelsea to their first ever Europa league triumph, as the London club beat Benfica 2-1 in the final of the competition.

Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic were the centre back partnership in the match due to the absence of captain John Terry. Benitez was given the objective of finishing in the top four and possibly winning a title when he took over from Roberto di Matteo at the end of November.

Even though he has never been accepted by Chelsea fans due to the past animosity, Cahill has said that it is time people gave credit to the job done by Benitez during this six months at the club. The Spaniard has already revealed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Former manager José Mourinho is widely expected to become the replacement, as Chelsea finally look to put together a challenge in the Premier league.

The club has won just four league titles in their history and three since the arrival of Roman Abramovich. However, they have won the most number of trophies amongst English clubs since 2003.

“We’re better off in our league position as it stands and we have just won a trophy. You have got to give him credit for what he has done,” said Cahill. “We tried to finish in the top three and got to two finals, winning one of them, and two semi-finals. To be here with a shorter squad, young players, a transitional period and with all the problems we have had, it’s good. If people analyse the circumstances they will realise it is not an easy job and still we are lifting a trophy,” said Benitez.