RDM- Torres needs competition

Last updated : 31 August 2012 By team talk

Roberto Di Matteo insists it is vital Fernando Torres faces competition up front this season amid reports linking Chelsea with Andre Schurrle.

Di Matteo has denied Torres was finally thriving at Stamford Bridge because Didier Drogba was no longer on the scene, with the Spaniard's only rival now Daniel Sturridge. It has been suggested Chelsea would consider loaning out Sturridge were they to reach an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over Schurrle before 11pm.

The European champions have already seen a bid thought to be in the region of ?16million rejected for the Germany star this summer and are reportedly hoping to succeed with a ?20million offer. Torres spoke on Thursday about how he never wants to go back to feeling as he did during his first 18 months at the club, when he was completely overshadowed by Drogba.

But Di Matteo said: "Competition is very important for a professional sportsman. "I don't think the way Fernando has started this season is because Drogba is not here. "He started this season very well, with a lot of confidence, but there's competition there. We have Daniel Sturridge as well. Competition is very important for us." Torres made no secret of the fact that being a guaranteed starter had helped him rediscover the form that convinced Chelsea to pay a record ?50million for him in January last year.

"When you feel the confidence of everyone and you're in the line-up normally, the confidence is easier to have back," he said. "You know you're going to play, or think you are. "That's the main difference between this and the previous one and a half seasons at Chelsea. I'm playing more minutes and the confidence is back."

Di Matteo refused to reveal whether there would be any more comings and goings at Chelsea before the transfer window closed, with reports suggesting Michael Essien was even been sought on loan by Arsenal. Yossi Benayoun announced on Thursday he was in talks with two Premier League clubs over such a move having spent almost all of last season with the Gunners, although Di Matteo said the midfielder had not travelled to Monaco for the UEFA Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid because he had been unwell.

Friday evening's match will see Torres take on Atletico for the first time since quitting his boyhood idols five years ago. Admitting they would always be his first love, he revealed he would not celebrate at the Stade Louis II if he added to his three goals this season. "It'll be a complicated situation to play against a team whose fanbase still supports me," he said. "I'd never make an unsporting gesture in the stadium. If a goal is scored, I will not celebrate it."

Source: team talk

Source: team talk