Harry: Beat City, get JT back – and it’s OK for Rafa

Posted Friday, November 23, 2012 by The Sun

HARRY REDKNAPP says Rafa Benitez could have the Chelsea supporters eating out of his hands by Sunday evening.

Oh, that’s just as long as he beats Manchester City.

The first hint that Benitez was the man to be charged with building the new Roman empire had Stamford Bridge fans spitting fury, given his digs at the club when Liverpool gaffer.

Yet for all the banners, the protests and the outcry, Redknapp reckons it could all turn around inside 90 minutes, when the champions come to London at the weekend.

Redknapp himself knows all about stepping into the lion’s den, having swapped Portsmouth for South Coast rivals Southampton.

The difference there, though, was ’Arry that was welcomed with open arms.

But Redknapp insisted: “I know Benitez isn’t a popular choice, but the ball’s in his court.

“I have always said the punters do not really care who’s in charge, so long as the team is winning and the points are racking up. You could have Saddam Hussein in charge of your club and if results went well they would be chanting his name.

“So Rafa has to start by beating City — if he manages that, it’ll be a different story.”

Redknapp was as stunned as the next man when Roberto Di Matteo was ruthlessly chopped on Wednesday.

But he reckons people have missed one crucial factor in Chelsea’s battle for glory — John Terry.

The deposed England skipper is currently sidelined, while Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard have also been missing at times in their recent slump.

Redknapp, speaking at a EA Sports FIFA 12 Ultimate Team event, added: “Those three are leaders, organisers and so much comes from them being out there.

“And the loss of JT, in particular, is massive.

“People just don’t realise how important he is to Chelsea. He’s their Tony Adams, their heart and soul. When he’s not there it’s a different team. Every side has one, a leader.

“I remember when I was at West Ham and we were playing Manchester United, who had Jaap Stam at the back. The man was a colossus, an absolute monster, and we were getting the runaround and trailing 2-0 at half-time.

“When we came out for the second half someone said Stam had gone off, he’d done his hamstring I think, and I said to Frank Lampard ‘we could get something out of this’.

“We ended up drawing 2-2 and missing an open goal right at the end.

“That’s how important one figure can be. It was Stam that day — it’s Terry at Chelsea.

“So the big battle for Benitez to win is getting him back in action as quickly as possible.

“And let’s be honest, it’s not as though he has a great deal to turn around.

“It’s not as though they’re adrift and haven’t won for 10 games.

“It’s up to Benitez now and he’s big enough to take any stick on the chin.

“But as I said — that could have all turned on its head by Sunday teatime.”