Chelseas Torres vows I will score

Last updated : 26 July 2011 By AFP

Torres, who scored once in 18 appearances in a miserable four months last season, remains a concern for Chelsea after failing to find the target in the club's two Asia tour outings ahead of their Premier League start on August 14.


Critics have questioned whether the Spaniard, recruited for a British transfer record, has the ability to help the west London outfit win trophies under new manager Andre Villas-Boas.


But speaking to reporters in Hong Kong, where Chelsea end their tour this week with two games in the Barclays Asia Trophy, Torres hit back at his doubters.


"I'm 27. Don't worry I don't forget to score goals... I will score," said the World Cup-winning Spain international.


"It's going to be a big season. My form is ok, it's time to be fit and ready. We're trying to get into the best form. We have got big expectations and I can see the winning mentality we have (at Chelsea)."


But his dry spell has prompted speculation that Chelsea may have bought a striker on the wane and leaves Villas-Boas, who arrived from Porto for £13.3 million, with a dilemma over whether the star forward merits a starting spot.


Chelsea captain John Terry defended his under fire team mate against comparisons with Andriy Shevchenko, who flopped at the club after a big money transfer.


"I think that's unfair, actually," said Terry. "Naturally there's a bit of pressure on him. But that's why you want the best strikers in the world because they can deal with it."


Terry said the Spaniard's relatively poor form last season was due to an injury that he picked up during Spain's victorious World Cup campaign in South Africa but added that he has enjoyed a better pre-season this year.


"He is looking sharp in the training," Terry said. "He is hungry as well."


Villas-Boas also attempted to deflect the criticism from the Spanish striker.


He has yet to pair Torres with Didier Drogba on the tour, and there is likely to be only one slot up front in Chelsea's typical 4-3-3 formation, with Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge also competing for that position.


"We are focusing a lot on one player -- for us it is not focusing only on one player," Villas-Boas said. "We are trying to create relationships between the players so they can perform better as a group."


Chelsea play Hong Kong champions Kitchee on Wednesday and, if they win, they face either Aston Villa and Blackburn in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy on Saturday.


Earlier Torres, Frank Lampard goalkeeper Petr Cech and forward Salomon Kalou took part in a football 'clinic' at Chelsea's Hong Kong soccer school, sharing skills and tips in a short session with young fans.


A smiling Torres failed to hit the back of the net in four attempts.

Source: AFP

Source: AFP