Torres is being overworked, worries Di Matteo

Oct 6, 2012 1:10:00 AM

With Daniel Sturridge injured, Chelsea's €62 million-rated top goalscorer is their only striking option at present, with his manager fearing he could suffer from a lack of rest

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has admitted he is worried that striker Fernando Torres could suffer from “burnout” in the near future if he doesn't get an opportunity to rest him.

Torres is the only Blues player to feature in every game they've played this season, but a lack of alternatives – and Daniel Sturridge’s persistent injury troubles - means his boss is heavily reliant on the Spain international.


CHELSEA LATEST
11/4	Fernando Torres is 11/4 with bet365 to score two or more against Norwich

Despite spending around €100 million in the summer on new additions for his squad, Di Matteo failed to add to his front-line options, and he is now lamenting his dearth of attacking options.

"There are no signs of Fernando being burned out at the moment, but it’s something we have to look at," Di Matteo told reporters.

"This is our seventh game in 21 days and with the intensity and tempo of these matches it’s going to be very difficult for anyone to play in them all.

"Daniel Sturridge was injured three weeks ago and we were hoping he’d be fit for this game."

Sturridge's injury means Torres will feature once again for Chelsea, who loaned their only other striker Romelu Lukaku to West Brom in the summer.

But Di Matteo has no qualms about loaning the Belgium forward, insisting the youngster needed more regular playing time to kick-start his stalling progression.

"Romelu needs to play to improve," he added. "I’m not sure how much chance he’d have got this year."

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

Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
Cartoon: Casillas' birthday wish comes true
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
Goal's Serie A awards for 2012-13
Goal crowns the best and worst from Italy over the course of the season