Fenerbahce forward Dirk Kuyt has said that it would be a "very special" occasion if he were to face Rafael Benitez's Chelsea team in the Europa League final.

The Turkish team face Benfica in their second-leg encounter tomorrow having won the first leg 1-0 at the Sukru Saricoglu Stadium last week.

Meanwhile, the Blues lead Basel 2-1 ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Kuyt worked under Bentiez during their time at Liverpool and said that the Spaniard had a big influence on his career.

However, he said that he would be determined to beat his old boss should they both make it through.

"It would be very special to face Rafa in the final," The Mirror quotes Kuyt as saying. "He signed me for Liverpool and has been a very big ­influence on my career. I will always be grateful to him for giving me the chance at Anfield.

"He means a lot to me. He is one of the best managers I have ever worked with and clearly one of the best in Europe. The things he wrote about me when he heard I was leaving Liverpool were very special and important to me.

"I will never forget that. I owe him a great deal but I would still love to beat him if we both make it to the final."

The final takes place in Amsterdam on May 15.