Martin Keown: Chelsea’s Fernando Torres should be first choice at Stamford Bridge

Fernando Torres

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes that Chelsea should restore Fernando Torres as their number one striker, following the Spaniard’s goal against Galatasaray in the Champions League last night. Keown told the Daily Mail that he believes that the former Liverpool forward has “got his pace back” and that he will be a key part of any success that the side has this season.

“There is always a lot of negativity surrounding Fernando Torres, but Chelsea have to stick with him,” opened Keown.

“He took his goal terrifically well, opening up his body to pass the ball in with his foot at an extraordinary angle.

“When you saw that technique, you wondered if Torres might fluff his lines, but he did well to squeeze it between the two bodies trying to block the ball.”

The former England defender believes that the goal may spark a return to form for Torres, having seen glimpses of a renaissance earlier in the campaign.

“At the start of the season there were glimpses of the Torres of old and Mourinho had him fired up and playing well.

“He looks as if he knows he’s got his pace back and a key part of Chelsea’s success now is to make sure he’s their number one.”

Torres has a Champions League shot conversion rate of 50% this season, but has scored with just 19% of his Premier League shots.