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Benitez: Happy Torres ready to fire

Fernando Torres: Aiming for glory in Japan © Getty Images

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Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez believes he is on the brink of unlocking Fernando Torres' goalscoring potential after seeing his former Liverpool protege blast back into form with four goals in his last two games.

Benitez was widely believed to have been hired by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to get the best out of misfiring £50 million hit-man Torres and the Spaniard feels his compatriot is responding well to his promptings once again after the duo were reunited at Stamford Bridge following their successful spell together at Anfield.

"I'm not being asked so many questions about Fernando and this means people are getting used to seeing him scoring," Benitez said ahead of his side's FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Mexican side Monterrey in Japan on Thursday.

"Everybody has been talking for months about, 'Fernando has to score more goals', so to score four in a week he must be pleased. He's happy. When a striker is scoring, he is happy and I've noticed the difference in him.

"Fernando has been in good positions only because the team has created more chances. It is the team that is doing well. Maybe I can communicate with him a different way sometimes but the main thing, for me, is his team-mates.

"The team is doing really well. I'm not surprised because they are all training very well. You don't have anyone who is lazy. Everyone is trying to do the right things."

Meanwhile Benitez has hailed the FIFA Club World Cup as a hugely significant piece of silverware to aim for and suggested victory would represent one of the greatest moments in Chelsea's history.

"This is a massive competition and for Chelsea to win it would be a big victory for this club," he added. "I think everyone here in this club has the same idea as me, to win every trophy that you can and this one is right in front of us. It will not be easy, but we have a chance and you can feel the confidence coming back into the team now."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.