• Premier League

I don't expect my strikers to score goals - Ancelotti

ESPN staff
March 3, 2011
Carlo Ancelotti: 'I'm not askig Fernando Torres to score' © PA Photos
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Carlo Ancelotti has defended striker Fernando Torres, claiming he does not expect the Spaniard to score goals.

Torres has come under fire after failing to find the net in his first four matches since his £50 million move from Liverpool.

Chelsea's strikeforce of Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka strikes fear into the heart of defences around the country, but the Blues' goals came from defender David Luiz and midfielder Frank Lampard in their 2-1 win over Manchester United on Tuesday.

But Ancelotti claims he does not ask his strikers to score goals, and insisted he was happy with Torres' all-round performance at Stamford Bridge.

"Torres didn't score but I don't ask my strikers to score," Ancelotti said. "I ask them to play for the team. Torres did a very good job with that. People judge him on the goals he scored but I have to look at different things about his performance.

"He worked for the team, put pressure on the defenders, moved well in front and worked hard. That's enough for me. Ask him, not me, if it will affect him but I don't think it will. I'm not asking him to score."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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