Andre Villas-Boas confident that Fernando Torres get his scoring touch back. |
Andre Villas-Boas declared that Fernando Torres is “getting nearer all the time” to rediscovering his scoring touch after the Chelsea striker inspired his team to a nervy 1-0 win over Sunderland.
Torres has not scored in the Premier League since September and has netted only four times for his club this season but he set up Frank Lampard’s goal with a fabulous scissor kick that rebounded off the bar and had two strong penalty appeals rejected in the second half when he caused havoc at times with his pace and strong running.
“His performance was good,” said Villas-Boas of the Spaniard in his post-match press conference. “He is getting a good run of games, finding inspiration, motivation and solidarity, as all the team and the fans are behind him.
“It is good to see him picking up confidence and assisting people. He hasn’t been scoring but he is getting nearer all the time.”
Asked if Torres needs a goal to be considered back to have rediscovered top form, Villas-Boas shook his head. “I don’t think so. As long as he helps the team to win games, we are happy with him.”
The Portuguese also had warm words for Lampard, who has had a difficult relationship with his manager this season and was substituted with 17 minutes left despite scoring his ninth league goal of the season and 11th in total.
Villas-Boas observed: “Frank is always a player who has this amazing timing of arrival. It is no accident that he is one of the best goal-scoring midfielders in the world. He will continue to threaten all Chelsea records for the future. He has broken all the recent records for appearances and goals. It is good for him.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea are close to finalising the £7 million signing of Gary Cahill from Bolton Wanderers, a deal that Villas-Boas says “should be completed tomorrow [Sunday], I think”.
£7 million Gary Cahill at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea 1-0 victory over Sunderland |
Alex could make the short move from Stamford Bridge to Loftus Road |
Villas-Boas said: “There is an offer and it is not far off. We know Alex's market value. We are not going to let him go easily. He is a player that has attracted interest from Premier League clubs and abroad."
SOURCE:Goal.com,Google.com
SOURCE:Goal.com,Google.com