Benitez quiet on Mourinho link

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has declined to comment in the possibility of former Blues boss Jose Mourinho replacing him in the dugout at Stamford Bridge.

Rumours of the Special One’s return intensified following comments he himself made after Real Madrid’s 4-3 aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

However, Benitez dismissed questions regarding the 50 year olds potential reappointment by simply telling reporters: “It’s not my business”.

Meanwhile, the club are preparing for tonight’s Europa League semi-final second leg against FC Base, where they have a 2-1 lead from last week’s initial encounter in Switzerland.

The hosts go in to the game without the suspended Ashley Cole, so Ryan Bertrand is set to deputise, though he, along with David Luiz, Ramires and John Obi Mikel are only a booking away from missing the final, should Chelsea get there. Striker Demba Ba is ineligible, so Fernando Torres is set to lead the line.

Elsewhere, the Blues have been linked with highly rated Schalke youngster Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

The 21 year old centre back, who has already been capped 16 times for Greece, is also a target for Manchester City and Liverpool and reportedly has a released clause of £17 million in his contract.