Mirror Merseyside correspondent David Maddock on what the Blues' players and fans can expect from the former Liverpool manager

Ask any of his former players what Rafa Benitez brings to management, and universally they will offer an answer that provides insight into his appointment by Chelsea.

The Spanish coach is a bit of a Marmite figure among his ex-charges, they either love him or hate him.

But whichever side they are on, not one has anything but praise for his meticulous planning and preparation.

Under Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea have looked a side lacking direction at times, their new inventiveness through the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar too often undermined recently by a corresponding lack of discipline.

Conversely, few managers can match Benitez when it comes to tactical acumen, or strategic thinking.

With him, it is guaranteed that players will know their roles precisely - even if they don’t always enjoy them.

It is a theme touched upon by every single star who has ever been coached by the Spaniard - and one explained by Martin Skrtel, who was signed by Benitez for Liverpool, on Wednesday.

“I know him and how he likes to operate, and he likes to work on a tactical plan of games,” Skrtel explained, after hearing that his former coach could soon be back in the Premier League after two years in the football wilderness.

“He will definitely try to bring his tactical ideas to their game and I think that will be the main thing he will try to implement.”

John Powell

Mint tactics: Skrtel knows all about playing the Benitez way

For Benitez, the team always comes first.

Most specifically, how that team functions, tactically, to gain subtle advantage in areas of the pitch where games can be won and lost.

He critics suggest he enjoyed some outrageous fortune in the finals of the two trophies he won at Anfield.

But those same critics forget the tactical masterstrokes he delivered in beating Juventus in the quarter-finals and Chelsea the semis of the 2005 Champions League, and Chelsea again in the semi-final of the 2006 FA Cup.

Clearly, Roman Abramovich possesses a better memory than those conveniently forgetful critics as, facing a season of chaos with the lack of direction so evident within his team, the Russian billionaire has chosen to go with an almost obsessive organiser.

Lucky or good? Benitez's European Cup triumph was a mix of both

Perhaps significantly, Fernando Torres has been one of the most vocal recently in talking up Benitez’s strengths, and most notably how the coach got the best out of him.

“He is the only coach who knew how to help me improve,” the Chelsea striker has said.

Yet, ever the pragmatist, Blues fans shouldn’t get carried away with the idea their new coach will transform Torres, as he is equally as likely to decide he needs to buy a new striker who can work better with his three-headed creative force of Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata.

Until the New Year though, expect Torres, as the only striking option, to be better accommodated, but Benitez knows his owner would prefer to see the creativity retained in the longer term, and he will have no sentiment in choosing the best option to bring that out... even if it means ditching a former favourite.

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Still the man: Torres will start for Benitez's Chelsea - until January anyway

One thing is guaranteed though - there will be no repeat of the defensive shambles that typified Chelsea in Turin on Tuesday.

Which is bad news for David Luiz.

Benitez will not tolerate a defender so lacking in discipline, and it will be a surprise to see the Brazilian given a shirt.

Instead, expect another signing in the heart of the defence, and a stifling organisation at the back that will make Chelsea supremely hard to score against once more.

It may not win him friends among a skeptical Stamford Bridge fan base, but as many players will testify, Benitez knows popularity contests don’t win honours, tough decisions do.