• Premier League

AVB tells Torres to get set for a fight

ESPN staff
December 1, 2011
Fernando Torres did little to impress against Liverpool © Getty Images
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Andre Villas-Boas has told Fernando Torres that he will have to raise his game to secure regular football at Chelsea.

Torres appeared to have turned a corner following a sticky start to life at Chelsea with a string of fine displays earlier in the season. But he has lurched back into mediocrity following his red card against Swansea and was virtually anonymous during the Carling Cup defeat to his former club Liverpool this week.

Villas-Boas has suggested he will recall Didier Drogba for the trip to Newcastle on Saturday and admitted Torres needs to find some good form or face being left kicking his heels on the sidelines.

"We're going back to 4-3-3 at Newcastle and Didier is showing good signs of returning," Villas-Boas said.

"Fernando has shown in the past that he has that ability and we will continue to pursue it. It must come with time and confidence but Fernando is facing tough competition.

"We still believe in him and we will continue to pursue his individual form."

Villas-Boas did admit that he must shoulder some of the responsibility for getting the best out of his players.

He said: "Our task as technical staff is to get the best out of the players. If we cannot do it, that's when we fail and we have to improve."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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