Jose Mourinho has insisted that Fernando Torres has a future at Chelsea, where the striker’s contract still has two years to run.
Blues boss Mourinho is keen to radically boost his attacking options this summer and the addition of big-money signings could see Torres slip down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
That had led to speculation that the Spaniard could be sold or sent out on loan, with the likes of Inter Milan and his former club Atletico Madrid reported to be interested.
And the decision to leave Torres on the bench and start without recognised striker against Paris St-Germain this week seemed a clear indication that the player’s long-term future lies elsewhere.
But Mourinho said: “Yes he has a future. We want to improve – I think that’s normal and basic – but does he have a future? Yes he has. He has a contract and is a good professional.
“He works hard for the team and brings a lot of positive things to the team. We want him to score more goals and obviously he wants to score more goals.”
Torres, who recently turned 30, has often struggled for form since his £50m move from Liverpool in January 2011.
And Mourinho admitted: “He’s had moments and some of them important moments, but long periods performing Sunday in, Sunday out, he’s not having a lot. He’s not having a lot of stability in his performances.”
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This post was last modified on 04/04/2014