Torres puts Reds on hitlist
This weekend’s game looks set to be Torres’s first for the champions following his record-breaking £50 million (€58m) move from Anfield on Monday night.
The 26-year-old has not asked to be left out to avoid risking the wrath of his former club’s fans, some of whom burned replica shirts bearing his name shortly before his switch to Stamford Bridge was sealed last night.
“It is like the destiny,” Torres said of the prospect of playing on Sunday.
“It is not perfect for me but we will see what happens and I only have good words about Liverpool.
“They made me a top player and gave me the chance to play at the top level.
“I will never say anything bad about Liverpool. I have been very happy there, but now the history is different and I am playing for Chelsea.
“If I have the chance to play, I will do my best for Chelsea and hopefully I can score.”
Torres’s commitment to Liverpool this season was questioned prior to his move and he admitted he had begun thinking about leaving Anfield last summer.
“I felt from last summer that I need to do a step forward in my career and for my ambition as a footballer,” he told Chelsea’s website, claiming Chelsea were on another level to his former side.
“I am joining a team that is at the top level. There is not another level after Chelsea.”
Joining Chelsea has transformed Torres from hero to villain in the eyes of Liverpool fans, while it has had the opposite effect on his new club’s supporters.
The Spain striker had for so long been the scourge of the Blues, scoring seven goals in just eight appearances against them while at Anfield.
“When I played against Chelsea, there was always a big motivation because it was a special game — it was always one of the biggest games of the season,” Torres said.
“I want to say thanks to the Chelsea fans because I have seen them very, very happy with me for joining Chelsea.
“If they are happy as well because I am not going to score any more against them, then it is good.”
He added: “I have good memories and bad memories of games against Chelsea. All the goals are good memories because all of them are special.
“I have a very bad memory of the semi-final of the Champions League in my first season in England when they beat us and they played the final, not us.
“It was a frustrating day for me but hopefully now I am here we can go through to the final together and win.
“The Champions League is a big ambition and all the footballers want to play in it. It is a very important competition.
“But also Chelsea have the chance every season to win all the trophies that they play for, so when you have the chance to play in a team like this, you cannot say no.”
Torres is looking forward to linking up again with former Anfield team-mate Yossi Benayoun, who is close to returning from a long-term injury.
“He is my friend and on the pitch we have a very good relationship,” Torres said.
“Hopefully he can play as soon as possible and he will be fully recovered. It is exciting the possibility to play with him again, but as well with my other new team-mates.”
Torres revealed he had yet to meet new manager Carlo Ancelotti, who he described as “a winner”.
And Ancelotti is ecstatic at the capture of Torres and David Luiz, according to Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay. The signing of Luiz, who was set to arrive in London today, took Chelsea’s transfer deadline day spending spree to an incredible £75m and Gourlay said: “Carlo is over the moon.
“He did say we needed to bring a couple of players in. I’m sure this is great for the team and the morale.”
* Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge will remain on March 1. The Blues’ FA Cup fourth round draw with Everton on Saturday led to confusion over when the replay would be played, having a knock-on effect on the United game, raising the possibility of the title rivals facing each other twice in a matter of days in May. However the Chelsea-United clash now remains on March 1.
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