• Premier League

Benitez: Torres may be given bench role

ESPN staff
January 2, 2013
Fernando Torres may need to get used to sitting on the bench © PA Photos
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Rafael Benitez believes Fernando Torres will not mind being demoted to the bench occasionally as the interim Chelsea manager ponders his options during the January transfer window.

Torres has started every league game for the Blues this campaign, but has only briefly reached peak form, netting seven goals.

Benitez, meanwhile, is reportedly interested in Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao, Demba Ba of Newcastle and Andre Schurrle. Chelsea are hoping to bring in at least one new striker during the January transfer window, and Benitez is confident Torres will accept less game time.

"We are trying to manage the team so when I can change Fernando I will do it," Chelsea's interim manager said.

"We will try to manage him and hopefully we can do things properly. He wants the team winning games and he understands that is the way so he will accept this."

Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel are due to depart for African Nations Cup duty following Wednesday's clash with QPR, and Benitez admits he needs to bring players in during January.

"You can always improve things, especially when you have injuries, and we lose two players to the African Nations Cup," he said.

"Obviously we need bodies but I am really pleased with the squad, they train well, the commitment is there and they are keen to learn.

"I think we will do our job (in the window) and hopefully it will be a good job."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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