• Premier League

Di Matteo defends Torres' form

Miguel Delaney
October 26, 2012

Roberto Di Matteo has launched a staunch defence of Fernando Torres, insisting he has "no concerns" despite another dip in the striker's form.

In Chelsea's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, the striker appeared particularly disenchanted. And he recently admitted in an interview with a Spanish newspaper that he went through a spell where he did not care whether Chelsea won or lost.

Di Matteo, however, underlined Torres' commitment to the Chelsea team, pointing to his goals and assists rates this season as conclusive evidence that the Spain international is playing to his ability - while rejecting the idea that his side must rely on just one player.

"I have no concerns about Fernando," the Chelsea boss said. "He always works hard for the team. Whether he scores or not, he's always contributing. He either makes passes or he's very useful for the combinations. We can't just rely on one player. We want to share the responsibility.

"He's been training well and I think sometimes he gets more chances, sometimes less. He's been scoring goals, he's been making goals. We can't expect him to score in every game. Maybe [Shakhtar] wasn't his best game but I don't think it was a question of being happy or unhappy. I think he's in a good state of mind.

"We're talking too much about the past. He had a difficult season. He's made that point [in the Spanish interview] and I think, rather than moaning about the past, it's time to move forward and think about the present and the future.

"I think he's always cared but he's just had a difficult season. This season is completely different. He's started very well. I think he's showed all the signs this season. He scored in the Community Shield. He's scored four in the league. He's scored one in the cup but he's making goals as well. Considering the games we've played, [his goal ratio] is one in two."

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