• Premier League

Torres: 'Crazy' fixture schedule needs changing

ESPN staff
March 30, 2013
Fernando Torres wants to win two trophies this season © Getty Images
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Chelsea striker Fernando Torres believes his side are being asked to fulfil a "crazy" fixture list, as they prepare for three crucial games in the space of just six days.

With Saturday's Premier League trip to Southampton quickly followed by an FA Cup quarter-final replay on Monday and then a Europa League tie with Rubin Kazan on Thursday, Torres has called on English football chiefs to revise the fixture schedule.

"The fixtures are crazy, someone probably needs to look at it," Torres told the Chelsea website. "In England, I cannot understand why we start earlier than any league in the world, we finish only a week earlier and don't stop over Christmas, yet we have games every three days.

"We know we have to use all the squad now because we have too many games. Everyone needs to be ready and know we have to be a team to win the games. It's no time to be thinking we can win 10 points out of 15 or whatever, we need all the points and then to win in the knockout competitions."

Torres is eager to add to his trophy haul at Chelsea and believes Rafael Benitez's side are ready to come to the boil at the perfect moment in their draining season.

"The team has been in good form in recent weeks," he said. "We have great players and they are there when the team need them, so it's time for them to shine.

"From now until the end we are going to see good team performances. We know what we are playing for, and we want to win trophies.

"We won two last season and we want to do the same again. To do that we have to beat Manchester United and Rubin Kazan, but not forget the league because also we want to be in the Champions League next season."

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