Benayoun feels relaxed

Benayoun: Determined to shine

Yossi Benayoun insists he does not feel under added pressure stepping into Joe Cole's boots at Chelsea.

The 30-year-old midfielder has traded places with Cole this summer, with the pair crossing paths in their respective moves between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Benayoun has made a switch to the capital, while his fellow playmaker has headed north to Merseyside.

It has already been suggested that Benayoun will be expected to fill the creative void made by Cole's departure, with the England international having enjoyed a productive seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge.

The Israeli is confident he is up to that challenge, but claims he will not allow comparisons between the two to distract him from his efforts to hold down a regular first-team place.

"I think that every player wants the pressure, but I think it's not different, also for Joe, to put all the pressure on him," Benayoun said in the Daily Star.

Improve

"I don't like to compare myself with any other player. I have come here to do my best and hopefully that will be good enough.

"I wish Joe all the best at Liverpool. He's a great player.

"But they have Fernando Torres, Stevie (Gerrard) and with Joe, of course they will improve a lot, they have a lot of good players but the team is never about one player."

Meanwhile, Benayoun has admitted that he would like to see another high profile star at Anfield make a move to Chelsea, with reports continuing to link Fernando Torres with a switch to the Blues.

He added: "I am a very good friend of Fernando. We speak every day but not about his future.

"Do I want him at Chelsea? He is a great player and any team in the world would want a player like Fernando."

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