Chelsea back in the groove says Benitez

SUNDERLAND, United Kingdom (AFP) - Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez claims his side's confidence couldn't be any higher as they turn their attention to the Club World Cup in Japan this week.

The Blues crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday and travelled to Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Saturday on the back of their worst domestic run for 18 years.

However, a comprehensive 3-1 win over the Black Cats made it nine goals in the space of four days after Wednesday's 6-1 rout of Danish side Nordsjaelland and provided a timely morale boost ahead of the trip to Yokohama. Chelsea take on either South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai or Mexican outfit Monterrey in their opening Club World Cup fixture on Thursday and Benitez believes it could be a successful trip given his side's upbeat mood.

"I was pleased with the way we played in the Champions League game, with passion and desire right to the end, and this was another good performance," Benitez said. "If you are going to a tournament like this it is important to show what you can do on the pitch and play well. "It's important to have an opportunity to win any trophy, but especially a trophy like this one.