The appointment of the ex-Liverpool manager makes sense to me tactically, he has a good knowledge of the English top flight, having spent around 6 years at the historic club, he also has great experience with the 4-2-3-1 formation, a system that suits Chelsea and the players are also used to, and there is the matter of Fernando Torres...
The Spanish striker's form has deteriorated ever since Benitez left Anfield, under Rafa he scored 72 goals in 116 games, at a great rate of 1 goal every 1.6 games, that's roughly 24 goals a season. Since his departure however, he has just managed 28 goals in 112 matches, at a goal every 4 matches, or 9.5 goals per season. This stat clearly shows that if there is anyone who knows how to get the most out of Torres, it is definitely Benitez, and considering that he is (or should be) their primary goal source, it is vital that they get him back to his prior form.
As I previously stated, Benitez also has experience with the 4-2-3-1 formation, as he used it to great success with Valencia before he left for Liverpool, he also was one of the first men to set his side out in a strict 4-2-3-1, and not one that is shifted to during play. Within the 4 most advanced players on the pitch, he taught a fluid one-touch passing philosophy accompanied by smart movement which made for some brilliant goals. He will look to use the ability of Mata, Hazard, and Oscar behind Torres to unlock defences with some graceful football. We already know he will look to implement the same system at Chelsea from the interview he gave for the club website; "because this (4-2-3-1) is the shape Chelsea have been using until now, I think at this moment this is the best shape for the team. You cannot change too many things, we have to do the things they were doing well, carry on with these things and then change the other little things."
From the interview we can also deduce of his attacking intentions, "The idea of one striker and three players with freedom and an offensive mentality is interesting." Benitez evidently wants to give the the bank of 3 the allowance to roam and concentrate on their attacking work. This however, will just make their defensive issues on the flanks even worse however, they have been caught out numerous times where the two outer number 10s haven't tracked back and leave their respective full-backs outnumbered. I expect the 52 year old to concentrate on the defence first though, like he did with Valencia, as he built the side up tactically from the back. In the 2001/2002 season for Benitez, he, brought the league title in with a very negative goalscoring record of just 51 goals in 38 matches, they were masters of the 1-0 win with some strong organisation at the back. Two years later when they won the league again however, they conceded just 27 goals whilst scoring 71 which was one off of the top scorers Real Madrid. Whether he will have the time to build up the side is very unlikely though, given the character who decides his fate as Chelsea manager. His focus on defensive structure initially may mean that the two wide men play with more defensive responsibility than they did under Di Matteo, and could be seen dropping to make a 4-4-1-1 shape.
In my opinion, Benitez would be a much better manager at Chelsea than Guardiola, who Abramovich seems so keen to bring in, the ex-Barcelona boss would not suit the Premiership, and the tiki-taka system is something which needs to be taught intensely and from a young age, so Pep would have to look towards a different philosophy at the Stamford Bridge.
Though unfortunately Benitez may only be at Chelsea for a short amount of time due to the impatience of Roman Abramovich, Rafa is a very good appointment at the Stamford Bridge. If the Russian decides to give Benitez time, however unlikely that is, then I feel it would be an even better decision.
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