Chelsea manager José Mourinho admitted after his side’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City today that he wants to keep Fernando Torres at Stamford Bridge.
The Spanish striker was left out of the matchday squad with Diego Costa starting up front for the Blues and 36-year old Didier Drogba making an appearance from the bench in the second half.
But Mourinho said after the game:
“I want him to stay. He will play and score goals, and be very useful for us.”
Fernando Torres is now Chelsea’s third-choice striker behind summer signings Costa and Droga. Mourinho also has André Schürrle as an option up front. The World Cup winner has started both games on the right wing this season.
The 30-year old who Chelsea forked out £50 million for three and a half years ago has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, including Spanish La Liga champions Atlético Madrid and Italian Serie A giants AC Milan.
Torres was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s 3-1 win at Burnley on Monday in their opening game of the 2014-15 season. However, the Spanish international could be expected to start cup games and matches either side of big UEFA Champions League matches in the knock out rounds provided Chelsea get that far again this season.
Diego Costa certainly doesn’t look like relenting his position to Fernando Torres in the important games anytime soon. The striker has scored Chelsea’s opening goal in each of their opening two matches to the new season.
Fernando Torres has only managed to score 20 goals in 110 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
Last season, Costa scored 27 goals in 35 La Liga appearances to help fire Atlético Madrid to surprise title success. He scored a further eight goals in nine Champions League appearances as the Spanish side reached the final, losing to rivals Real Madrid.
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