Frank Lampard urges Chelsea fans not to boo Rafa Benitez

FRANK LAMPARD is among a host of Chelsea stars urging the club’s fans NOT to boo Rafa Benitez.

Spaniard Benitez will see his reign as interim Blues boss come to an end after the game with Everton on Sunday.

And Lampard believes the former Liverpool manager should be shown some respect for guiding the Londoners to a top-four finish in the Premier League and Europa League glory.

The 34-year-old midfielder said: “Of course the manager deserves credit.

“We won the Europa League and have finished in a Champions League qualifying position, that is a pretty good season.

“Success is driven by a team effort and it is the entire team and management team that need to take credit for what we have overcome and achieved this season.

“I am sure that the fans, as always, will celebrate that success with us, team and manager alike.”

Goalkeeper Petr Cech and centre-back Gary Cahill also believe Benitez should finally be accepted by the Chelsea faithful.

And Cech would like the supporters to show their gratitude after the season finale at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “It is up to the fans to decide but he has done enough to show what he can do.

“He came here to try to win trophies and do as best he could — and he did that. It is up to everyone to decide what reception he will get on Sunday.

“I think everybody deserves the credit for what we’ve achieved this season.

“The manager, his staff, everyone. We are all in the same boat.

“You try to do as best as you can to win trophies and games and when you end up with success — everybody is part of it.”

Cahill added: “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion but you can’t really knock what he has done and we have finished strongly over the last couple of months.”

Veteran right-back Paulo Ferreira has hardly featured under Benitez since he took over from the sacked Roberto Di Matteo.

But even the Portuguese ace reckons the manager should be afford some gratitude — even if it is given begrudgingly.

He said: “I think they should [say thank you].

“It has been a bit of an up and down season for him in terms of emotion with the fans and all that.”

Football – The Sun

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