Benitez reveals why Fernando Torres has struggled at Chelsea

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Rafa Benitez discussed Fernando Torres and his role at Chelsea.

“I think he can be good. I’m not sure he will be at the same level that he was when he was at Liverpool with us. But he’s improving his fitness. He has been working so hard in the gym, and his pace is nearly there. He’s very strong. So he can beat defenders running, and now it’s just confidence.”

Just confidence. Heard that one before.

“He has to find the timing for his runs and the right movements, and he will be much better. How good? Can he be at the same level [as in the past]? I’m not sure. It depends on a proper preseason, training with the team, doing a lot of the things that he was doing this year. We’ll see how he feels at the beginning of next season.”

Fernando Torres has scored 22 goals – twice as many as he managed last season – in 63 matches for Chelsea in the 2012/13 season. Valuable goals, too. His strike vs Brentford in the FA Cup to force a replay, and his goals to open the scoring in the Europa League final, to name but two.

Torres: Top-four spot vital

Fernando Torres says it is crucial for Chelsea to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League and is also targeting Europa League glory as a bonus.



Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are in a four-way battle for the two remaining spots in the top four behind Manchester United and Manchester City.

Rafa Benitez's men currently have the edge as they occupy third place ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Sunday, and Torres insists they cannot afford to slip up.

He told Sky Sports News: "It is crucial for everyone. We are at Chelsea because we want to win trophies and the Champions League is one of them, maybe the most important.

"If you want to play in the Champions League you have to finish at least in the top four.

"Obviously it is not the target we had at the beginning of the season but it is the reality now. We must focus on the games we have to play this month and we have to qualify."

Chelsea have an opportunity to win some silverware this season after making it through to a Europa League semi-final against Basel, and Torres is hopeful they can be successful on two fronts.


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He added: "We have a bonus in the Europa League. Hopefully we can win this competition and finish in the top four and have the chance to play next season in the Champions League and the European Super Cup."

Torres ready for action

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has said that he is fully rested following a layoff over the international break.

The Spaniard was left out of Vicente del Bosque's squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France as he continues to struggle in front of goal.



Despite being disappointment at his exclusion, Torres stated that he is ready to get back to business as the Blues take on Southampton at St Mary's this afternoon.



"It was relaxing, but everyone wants to be involved with the national team and not have this time available," Torres told the club's official website.



"It was a good break and I enjoyed it with my family and had some rest, and now I'm ready for the next challenge."



The 29-year-old has scored just seven goals in 28 Premier League appearances this season.

Atletico Madrid opens door to Torres

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has seemingly opened the door for a possible return of Fernando Torres.

Torres has endured a torrid stay at Stamford Bridge since joining from Liverpool in January 2011 for £50million.

In 74 league games he has scored just 14 times, which is a shadow of his Liverpool form where he hit 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances.

The 29-year-old began his career with Atletico Madrid and is still revered by their fans, and now Simeone has refused to rule out a possible return.

"Fernando Torres is currently playing for another team. We have to wait for the season to finish and decide which of the available players could come here and do a good job," Simeone told Onda Cero.

"Fernando knows about the club's history, what it means to play here and I don't need to speak about his ability.

"We were team-mates. I know how important he can be."

Simeone admits he does not know if a deal could be struck, adding: "It's complicated. I wouldn't like to say yes or no. He's a player who always performs and we have to respect his choice."

With Chelsea being strongly linked with Atletico's Radamel Falcao - a player-swap plus cash deal has long been mooted.

Simeone was also quizzed about the future of the Colombian, and said: "I'm not Falcao and I'm not his agent. I'm the manager and have the utmost respect for him, because he gave me so much at River Plate and has done the same here.



"He always gives his all and I really respect players who do that. But everyone makes their own decisions in life. Every person is different, and we have to respect each other. Those who stay are always going to be the best."

Torres left out of Spain squad

Fernando Torres has been left out of the Spain squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France.

The 28-year-old Chelsea striker was omitted from recent friendlies against Panama and Uruguay but has made the squad for earlier World Cup qualifiers.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said: "Especially for strikers, inconsistency worries us and Fernando's inconsistency provoked a sense of insecurity in us."

Torres has scored 31 goals in 101 appearances for his country.

Golden Boot winner as top-scorer in Spain's victorious Euro 2012 campaign last summer, he has 17 goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season.



But he has not found the net in the Premier League in 2013 and scored only his third goal in 20 games as Chelsea beat Steaua Bucharest in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday.



Spain squad to play Finland and France:



Goalkeepers: Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Jose Reina (Liverpool), David de Gea (Man Utd)

Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Jordi Alba (Barcelona)



Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Javi Garcia (Man City), Isco (Malaga)



Forwards : David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Man City), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Jesus Navas (Sevilla).