Torres 'ready for the challenge' of replacing Drogba

Sep 16, 2012 3:40:00 PM

The Spain international wants to surpass his best goalscoring season at Liverpool with the Blues and says his team have their eyes on the Premier League title this campaign

Fernando Torres has insisted that he is the man to replace the departed Didier Drogba as Chelsea's senior forward.

The Spaniard is the only established striker in Roberto Di Matteo's squad following the 34-year-old's exit to Shanghai Shenhua after securing Champions League victory in his final game for the Blues.

Despite suffering a sluggish start to his career at Stamford Bridge, the former Liverpool man has enjoyed a revival of sorts with three goals to his name already this season.

"Didier is not here anymore, so there is more responsibility for me and I'm ready for the challenge," the 28-year-old told the Daily Star Sunday.

"Now, I am looking for new personal targets, like getting as many goals as possible - hopefully more than in my best season at Liverpool."

Several new players were brought in by Di Matteo during a busy summer in the transfer window following the club's European triumph over Bayern Munich.

But Torres believes it is now time for the London-based club to focus on domestic matters once more.

"I think all the fans are excited about the Premier League again, after a couple of years of not winning the trophy," he added.

"So the Premier League is a big target and maybe we can become the first team to win two Champions Leagues in a row.

"I think it's a good time - especially for me - to give something back to the fans."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Siena 1-2 AC Milan
Goal was on hand to judge all the players as Allegri's men finished third in Serie A and secured a Champions League berth next season
Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid
Goal rates the players on show as the newly-crowned Liga champions cruised past the challenge of Miroslav Djukic's men to keep up hopes of reaching 100 points
Arsenal hold their nerve in top-four battle
Arsene Wenger's side produced a clinical performance to secure a top-four Premier League finish but now they must kick on if they wish to challenge for honours next year
Player Ratings: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny's 52nd-minute volley secured the Gunners the win over Alan Pardew's side and made sure they would be playing Champions League football next season
Player Ratings: West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson was given a farewell to remember, but certainly not for the right reasons as the Romelu Lukaku-led hosts battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point