Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that supporters need to be realistic about their expectations this season as they adjust to life under his management.

The Blues are a whopping 14 points off Manchester United at the top of the Premier League after an inconsistent first half of the season.

Benitez has steadied the ship and still has the chance to win a domestic cup double and the Europa League during his interim term in charge.

The Spanish coach thinks that his side need time to adjust as an experienced core of players are slowly replaced by new additions.

He told reporters: "I don't need to convince anyone this is a period of transition. We all have enough intelligence and experience to realise this.

"Anyone can analyse the squad and see that some new players have come in and some others are getting older. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks, the situation is that this is what we have.

"Before at Chelsea they had a lot of big names. Now we have a good team with young players who are doing well but need some experience in the Premier League and some older players who can help them. When you are a long way from achieving your target in the league then maybe it is easy for the players to lose focus."

Chelsea continue their cup exploits tomorrow night with the first leg of a League Cup semi-final against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.