Chelsea striker expects new team-mate to be key player
Didier Drogba says Fernando Torres will be an important player for Chelsea and is not worried by the increased competition for places at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues broke the British transfer record to land Torres from Liverpool for £50million on deadline day, leaving the rest of the Premier League in no doubt about their ambitions.
The Spaniard made a disappointing debut against his former club at the weekend as Chelsea went down 1-0 at home to Kenny Dalglish's Reds.
Torres' partnership with Drogba failed to provide many problems for Liverpool and Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he will have to experiment to find the best attacking line-up.
Nicolas Anelka occupied a deeper role in support of the front two against Liverpool and it is unlikely that the trio will play together in every game.
However, Drogba feels it can only benefit Chelsea to have so many good players and he expects Torres to go from strength to strength after a difficult debut.
"Torres? He is a talented player, important for the team," the Ivory Coast international told L'Equipe.
"Against his former team-mates it was difficult on a psychological level for him.
"Competition? It has always been like this and that is why we have won trophies."
Title dreams fading
The loss to Liverpool left Chelsea ten points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester United and Drogba accepts their title hopes are now hanging by a thread.
"We had just started to hold our heads above the water, but that defeat against Liverpool has stunted us and put in jeopardy for the rest of our Premier League season," he admitted.
"It will be difficult to catch Manchester United again."
Drogba is currently in France preparing for Ivory Coast's friendly against African rivals Mali on Tuesday evening.
The Blues broke the British transfer record to land Torres from Liverpool for £50million on deadline day, leaving the rest of the Premier League in no doubt about their ambitions.
The Spaniard made a disappointing debut against his former club at the weekend as Chelsea went down 1-0 at home to Kenny Dalglish's Reds.
Torres' partnership with Drogba failed to provide many problems for Liverpool and Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he will have to experiment to find the best attacking line-up.
Nicolas Anelka occupied a deeper role in support of the front two against Liverpool and it is unlikely that the trio will play together in every game.
However, Drogba feels it can only benefit Chelsea to have so many good players and he expects Torres to go from strength to strength after a difficult debut.
"Torres? He is a talented player, important for the team," the Ivory Coast international told L'Equipe.
"Against his former team-mates it was difficult on a psychological level for him.
"Competition? It has always been like this and that is why we have won trophies."
Title dreams fading
The loss to Liverpool left Chelsea ten points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester United and Drogba accepts their title hopes are now hanging by a thread.
"We had just started to hold our heads above the water, but that defeat against Liverpool has stunted us and put in jeopardy for the rest of our Premier League season," he admitted.
"It will be difficult to catch Manchester United again."
Drogba is currently in France preparing for Ivory Coast's friendly against African rivals Mali on Tuesday evening.
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