• Premier League

'Slow' midfield holding Chelsea back - Torres

ESPN staff
September 9, 2011
Fernando Torres has scored just once since joining Chelsea © Getty Images
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Fernando Torres believes that Chelsea's "slow" midfield is holding them back in the Premier League.

Andre Villas-Boas attempted to add more dynamism into the centre of the park at Stamford Bridge during the summer, making a series of bids for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric, all of which were rebuffed.

He did manage to bolster the midfield ranks, however, swooping for Valencia winger Juan Mata and Liverpool's Raul Meireles, as well as youngster Oriol Romeu from Barcelona.

For the opening three games Villas-Boas has used Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel and Ramires in the centre - a triumvirate that has failed to shine, with the Blues looking unconvincing in their opening three league matches. Now Torres has told them to show more energy in the coming weeks.

"The kind of player Chelsea has [is] an older player, who plays very slow, who has a lot of possession, and that's what the club is trying to change now," Torres told ligabbva.com. "In the next matches, you will see another pace, and I hope the midfield will adapt to that pace.

"That is what you need in the Premier League. If not, then the teams don't work. When the team will start to get the ideas of the new coach, about paced and vertical football, it's going to be very good."

Meanwhile, Torres has revealed he is stunned that he has only scored one goal since joining Chelsea in January. "When I changed club, I knew it was going to be a slow process, although I didn't expect it to be so long," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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