Rafael Benitez has already starting fixing Chelsea's problems ahead of Manchester City clash But the Spaniard must also win over a squad who appeared fully behind Di Matteo, the man who somehow managed to inspire them to Champions League and FA Cup glory in the wake of the Andre Villas-Boas regime before being unceremoniously sacked on Wednesday morning. Benitez said: "I'm sure they will be pleased like they were with Di Matteo who, by the way, was doing a great job." Chelsea started the season like champions-elect but injuries, suspensions, a lack of tactical flexibility and off-field scandals have cast doubt on the overall strength of the squad. Benitez said: "It's a good squad, a good team. If I'm here, it's because I think we can win with them. If we can improve by training hard, we will. Benitez revealed he would look to Chelsea's big-name players to help him get their season back on track. "In a top side, normally, there will be some important players, some who have more influence," he said. I spoke with Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Fernando. With a contract only until the end of the season - fuelling speculation he is only keeping the manager's seat warm for Pep Guardiola - Benitez is unlikely to have much influence on transfers in January. The Spaniard appeared to accept he would not enjoy the same control as he did during his six years at Liverpool. "Here, you have a technical director and the manager is a head coach who has to improve the players he has," he said. I will talk to the people involved if it's necessary to improve the (squad). Chelsea appear in particular need of a striker, even if Benitez succeeds where three other Chelsea managers have failed by helping £50million flop Fernando Torres rediscover the form he showed under his fellow Spaniard at Liverpool. Torres almost helped fire the Reds to the Premier League title in 2009, a trophy that ultimately eluded Benitez. Managers who fail to win the league do not last long at Chelsea, who are four points behind City going into Sunday's game. "All the trophies are important - some are more important than others," Benitez said, defending his failure to win a championship in England. I won the league twice, in Spain. In Spain, Guardiola cannot win the Premier League. You cannot win everything in every country. The Premier League, obviously, would be a massive trophy because I know how difficult it is to win it. But, at the same time, all the trophies are important.