Committed Torres insists he has more to give
The 29-year-old Spain striker has struggled to reach the heights he scaled at Liverpool prior to his move to Stamford Bridge in January 2011.
Torres netted 81 goals in 142 games for Liverpool, but his confidence spiralled in a comparatively barren start to his Blues career, which has regularly seen suggestions Roman Abramovich is running out of patience with his biggest on-field investment and is prepared to cut his losses.
Yet the World Cup winner appears to be enjoying the Europa League, netting four times in the last three matches to help Chelsea to tonight’s semi-final first-leg at Basle, and he envisages a long and successful spell in west London alongside the likes of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, David Luiz and Oscar.
“I have many things still to give to this club,” Torres said. “I have three more years contract so I’m expecting to stay at least three years.
“We won the Champions League last season. Hopefully we can win the Europa League this one. It is our priority as well as finishing in the top four. We want to go back to the Champions League next season and keep winning trophies.
“I think we have a great squad and a young squad to build on.
“We are sure that we are a great team and we want to show everyone. I would like to be involved.”
Torres is also thriving again — albeit in fits and starts — under Rafael Benitez, the man who took him from Atletico Madrid to Liverpool and now Chelsea’s interim boss.
His compatriot’s arrival coincided with seven goals in six games, but then Torres managed just one goal — against League One Brentford — prior to his strike against Steaua in the Europa League last 16.
“All of the team is enjoying this competition,” said Torres, who has scored 12 of his 19 goals this season since Benitez’s arrival.
“To be out of the Champions League was a very disappointing time for us but we changed our minds and started thinking about the Europa League. It is one of the most important targets for us this season.”
Chelsea are portrayed as a dysfunctional hiring-and-firing unit, yet last season still won the European Cup when Roberto Di Matteo replaced Andre Villas Boas in March.
Benitez, who was appointed in November after Di Matteo’s side exited the Champions League, now has the chance to finish the season on a high and Torres is optimistic.
Torres said: “It has not been an easy season for anyone, but I think we have improved as a team and we are all focused on the same targets.
“We still have one trophy to fight for and to finish in the top four so let’s talk after the season about whether it has been good or bad.”
For his part, Basle head coach Murat Yakin is unfazed by facing Chelsea tonight and has urged his players to achieve more in their remarkable Europa League campaign.
Yakin said: “I’m not a dreamer, I’m not dreaming. I’m very realistic. We’re talking about reaching the final here.”
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