Exclusive – Rafael Benitez will be fantastic for Chelsea and can get Fernando Torres firing again, says former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor

Rafael Benitez is a fantastic appointment for Chelsea and can get Fernando Torres back to his best, according to former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor.

Benitez has been handed the job of leading the European champions until the end of the season and Mellor, who played under the Spaniard at Anfield between 2004 and 2006, believes the Spaniard will be a success at Stamford Bridge.

He told talkSPORT: “The players will certainly know who is boss when he goes in there. He’s not one of the lads. He is a very experienced manager. He will win the players over very quickly because of the success he has had as a manager.

“The time I had at Liverpool with him, he was a great coach and football was his life. He's had two years out of the game now and spent a lot of time with his family and he is desperate to get back in to the game. This is a great opportunity.

“He is not somebody who will rant or rave or shout. He very rarely gave you a pat on the back, it was usually a little nod of approval or thumps up.

"He was very meticulous with his information, always got the right information across, and it was thorough. Every player knew what they needed to do.

"Don’t forget before he did go to Liverpool he won La Liga with Valencia, ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid. So, he has got great experience at winning things. To come in as an interim manager, I think it’s a fantastic appointment.”

And Mellor reckons the arrival of Benitez at Stamford Bridge could finally get Torres firing again - the striker having enjoyed his best form when playing under the 52-year-old at Anfield.

He added: “Some players suit a certain club or a certain manager and perhaps Fernando Torres suits someone like Benitez.

“He may not suit Chelsea but, with Benitez coming in there, he could start firing straight away.