Torres: The confidence is back because I'm playing more

After three goals in four games this season already (including the Community Shield), Fernando Torres has begun to receive plaudits from the press compared to the “battering” they have given him ever since he signed for Chelsea.

I have been saying ever since he signed for Chelsea, all he needs is the right service and we will literally see him fly in a Chelsea shirt. Even up to the point of the Wigan game at the beginning of this season, he was still showing signs of frustration as his work off the ball to get into space was seemingly being ignored.

On Saturday against Newcastle, it seems that things are changing for the better as Torres had a great game scoring a great goal but also became heavily involved in Chelsea’s attacking moves.

It all comes down to confidence and Roberto Di Matteo was keen to point out that although he never started in both finals at the end of last season, he made sure Torres knew just how important he was for our future.

Di Matteo said:

“I spoke to Fernando on the plane coming back from Munich, and told him I thought he was part of the future of this club. I like to communicate with the players and keep those communication lines open. Players thrive on confidence.Understandably there’s frustration when you don’t start such a big game but ultimately we had a big success. Everybody was involved in that success, not just the ones who started the final. I was always very happy with Fernando. Towards the back end of last season he was fantastic. Maybe not scoring but being a provider and even when that doesn’t happen he works very hard. He’s a great team player.

A great move from Di Matteo as we all saw how pissed off Torres was when he wasn’t allowed to take one of our penalties.

I wrote a post before the season started about Torres and the fact that with Didier Drogba leaving, it could be a blessing in disguise for Torres and it’s proving to be the case already this season.

Torres just wants to play and needs the right service, something he has been craving for ever since he came here. He’s now getting exactly that and we are seeing the benefits.

Speaking after Newcastle and another great goal he said:

“The confidence is back because I’m playing more,” said Torres. “When you play you have more confidence and, with the new players we have signed, the team is playing more and more attacking.”

I remember the Torres interview after the game in Munich. He was quick to point out that when he came on at 1-0 down, we needed to attack Munich and felt as though we had the players to do it anyway rather than to play defensive.

Like he says, with the players we have signed we can see just how the team is being built around him to provide him with plenty of opportunities in our new attacking style.

I made a prediciton that Torres could end up with 20-30 goals this season and I stand by that. Let’s hope he continues to play, his confidence goes through the roof and he dwarfs any other season he has had in England and the Premier League so far!.

KTBFFH!