Rafael Benitez has insisted that Chelsea have improved under his reign as manager.

The Blues are currently third in the Premier League - nine points off leaders Manchester United - while also suffering defeat in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup at the hands of Swansea City.

The Spaniard, who replaced Roberto di Matteo following his sacking in November, believes that his team are only capable of playing one way and lack a 'plan B'.

"The team is scoring more goals, conceding less goals," said Benitez. "You can see that we have more balance but still we have some problems that we have to manage in these games.

"We have the styles or the characteristics of our players, for playing in a way that you have to manage. Some games you cannot and you have to change, and we don't have the other options.

"It's a style of football that we have to create with the players that we have, so we have to carry on. We cannot play long balls and try to win second balls like other teams. We have players that they have quality and we have to try to play this style of football."

Benitez has let it be known that he would be interested in taking the Chelsea job permanently.