Fernando Torres was all praise for Rafa Benitez after the Spaniard's stint as Chelsea manager ended following a 5-3 loss to Manchester City in a postseason exhibition game at the Yankee Stadium in New York.

Benitez took over in a difficult time from crowd favorite Roberto Di Matteo, but despite a backlash from fans, led Chelsea to the Europa League title and the third-place finish in the English Premier League.

Torres has also considerably improved under Benitez, and the former Liverpool striker said the manager had made the players better.

"He came in in a difficult situation, personally, for him with the reaction of the fans and the team were not doing well at the time," Torres said.

"It takes a bit of time to do better but after that, at the end of the season, the team was much better than at the beginning.

"He has helped the team, the team has been good. The players are better.

"I think he came to do a job and he did. He must be happy because he won a trophy with Chelsea.

"I wish him all the best in the future. We will be here fighting for more trophies , I am sure he will be in a top club, and we'll play against him."

Benitez is expected to be named Napoli manager soon, and the Spaniard expressed his pleasure at dispelling doubters and bringing success during his short stint at Stamford Bridge.

"I think it was a good challenge and I enjoyed it at the end," Benitez said.

"We won a trophy, (we reached) some semifinals, a final (and finished in the) top three so I am really pleased because a lot of people at the start, people around players, they were pushing and pushing.

"I am really pleased for everyone."