Di Matteo has no Torres concerns

Oct 27, 2012 1:32:00 PM

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has been backed by his manager Roberto Di Matteo to come good as the under-fire striker comes in for criticism following a recent lack of goals

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has launched a passionate defence of his under-fire Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

The £50 million record signing for the Blues has scored six goals in 12 games this term with his team top of the table, and his boss thinks criticism of the 28-year-old is misplaced.

"I have no concerns about Fernando," the Italian told reporters.

"He always works hard for the team and, whether he scores or not, he's always contributing. We can't just rely on one player, we want to share responsibility."

And share responsibility is what they have done, with Torres netting this season along with the likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Oscar and even defenders such as Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill.

Di Matteo has defended the Spaniard's all-round game, stressing that he is not just a goalscorer but also creates goals for others.


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"Sometimes, he [Torres] gets more chances, sometimes less. But he's been scoring goals, he's been making goals, and we can't expect him to be scoring every game.

"He just had a difficult season [last year] but I think this season is completely different.

"He started very well, he's playing well, he's looking good, so I would rather focus the energy on now and the future. I think he's shown all the signs from this season.

"He's scored in the Community Shield, he's scored four league goals, he's scored one in the cup. So he's been scoring goals. But he's been making goals as well."

Ahead of this weekend's clash with Manchester United, the Champions League-winning manager was asked about his striker's one-on-one difficulties - with his famous Old Trafford miss at the forefront of many people's minds.

"Strikers are instinctive and it's difficult to understand what goes through their minds when they're in that position.

"I've never been a striker, so I wouldn't be able to know that. They have that instinct and he's always had it and he still has it."

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