• Premier League

Benitez expects Chelsea to spend £85m

ESPN staff
May 16, 2013

Rafael Benitez has claimed Chelsea will make a big statement in the summer by spending £85 million on players.

Benitez has already confirmed he will be stepping down from his post as interim manager, with it widely reported that Jose Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge as his replacement.

There has been no word from Chelsea on Mourinho, although many of the squad have talked openly about the potential return of the Portuguese.

With Chelsea having fallen behind Manchester United in the Premier League pecking order, it is likely that Blues owner Roman Abramovich will fill up the transfer kitty. And Benitez feels it will be bolstered to the tune of £85 million.

"Chelsea will be much better next season because they will spend €100m [£85m] and they will sign three or four players," said Benítez. "The foundation is already there. The future is bright for them."

Bayer Leverkusen and Germany star Andre Schurrle is believed to be on the brink of a move to Chelsea, while they have also been linked with Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk and Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao.

On the possibility of Mourinho returning, Benitez said: "I don't know who the next coach will be, I am not the person who should say, but everyone speculates the same person."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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