Rafael Benítez says he is pleased to be dealing with the selection headache Demba Ba’s arrival at Chelsea has given him.
Ba got his Blues career off the the perfect start with a brace in Saturday’s 5-1 FA Cup win over Southampton after completing his £7m move from Newcastle United last week.
Benítez dropped Fernando Torres to the bench for the weekend’s cup clash – and the Chelsea interim boss admits he is happy to be left with an attacking selection problem ahead of the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Swansea.
“It’s good for me because before I didn’t have to think about that. It will be difficult, but I’m pleased to be in this position,” said the Chelsea boss. “As a manager, you have to take responsibility and choose a player.
“Before it was about Fernando and keeping him fit. It’s always important for a top side to have options, especially when you play a game every three days.
“It depends on them, how they feel and how they perform. There is no rule that you have to play one or the other, you have to manage it depending on the team.
“I was talking with Fernando and Demba. We have a lot of conversations about what I want to do and what I expect from them. We have two good options, they will compete and everything is positive in terms of the team.”