Rafa Benitez to help with Chelsea recruitment

Rafa Benitez could play a much bigger part in helping recruit players for Chelsea in the January transfer window than expected following the capture of Brazilian full-back Wallace.

Benitez, who only has a six month contract as interim manager at Stamford Bridge, was not expected to be involved at all in transfers during his time in London.

But an insider at the club today confirmed the Spaniard was in fact fully consulted over the signing of Wallace from Fluminense - even though the young right-back is being loaned back to the Brazilian club and won't even arrive at Chelsea until Benitez's contract is over.

In fact Benitez was fully involved in discussions with technical director Michael Emenalo and club director Eugene Tenenbaum over whether to sign Wallace and has also spoken regularly with owner Roman Abramovich since his arrival.

It opens up the possibility of the former Anfield boss playing a big part in who Chelsea sign in January, with a striker at the top of their list as they consider whether to sell unhappy Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool.