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Andre Villas-Boas claims Fernando Torres is having a 'tremendous' impact at Chelsea
The Chelsea boss is confident the £50m striker can end his goal drought against Manchester United on Sunday, admitting the Spaniard has been working on his movement in training
05-Feb-2012 6:05:00 AM
By Sion Cleaver
Getty Images
Andre Villas-Boas maintains Fernando Torres is having a 'tremendous' impact at Chelsea, despite the forward's struggle for goals since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Since signing from Liverpool in January last year, the Spain international has scored five times in 44 appearances and has failed to find the net since October.
But whilst admitting Torres needs to improve on his movement in order to fit into Chelsea's style, Villas-Boas claims a goal against Manchester United could be the start of a scoring run for the 27-year-old.
“Fernando has been having a tremendous team impact, we are not just looking for Fernando the goalscorer, but Fernando the team player,” Villas-Boas told reporters.
“We've been working on his movement for some time in order to adapt to how we are playing. A goal against United would of course trigger it all but even then there has to be continuity afterwards.”
Villas-Boas maintains his side will secure a place in the Champions League at the end of the season and insists his squad have more to play for this season than Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday holding a 12-point lead over their opponents.
“We should have a lot more points, it's true, and I've told the players it's unrealistic to think about the title after the irregularity of our results, the Premier League is out of the question but we are still technically in three competitions," he said.
"The two leaders are out of the FA Cup and out of the Champions League. United are playing for one major competition, we are playing for more. The Champions League is not just a wild card, it's a real objective, but of course we have first to get past Napoli.
“I don't think we'll finish lower than fourth, nor do have I any doubt I will be here next season. We have a strong belief in the current project."
Since signing from Liverpool in January last year, the Spain international has scored five times in 44 appearances and has failed to find the net since October.
But whilst admitting Torres needs to improve on his movement in order to fit into Chelsea's style, Villas-Boas claims a goal against Manchester United could be the start of a scoring run for the 27-year-old.
“Fernando has been having a tremendous team impact, we are not just looking for Fernando the goalscorer, but Fernando the team player,” Villas-Boas told reporters.
“We've been working on his movement for some time in order to adapt to how we are playing. A goal against United would of course trigger it all but even then there has to be continuity afterwards.”
Villas-Boas maintains his side will secure a place in the Champions League at the end of the season and insists his squad have more to play for this season than Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday holding a 12-point lead over their opponents.
“We should have a lot more points, it's true, and I've told the players it's unrealistic to think about the title after the irregularity of our results, the Premier League is out of the question but we are still technically in three competitions," he said.
"The two leaders are out of the FA Cup and out of the Champions League. United are playing for one major competition, we are playing for more. The Champions League is not just a wild card, it's a real objective, but of course we have first to get past Napoli.
“I don't think we'll finish lower than fourth, nor do have I any doubt I will be here next season. We have a strong belief in the current project."
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