http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 against Manchester United – UEFA Champions League
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that he can drop misfiring striker Fernando Torres from the starting line-up for the second-leg of UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Torres was below par in Chelsea’s recent 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Red Devils in the first-leg Champions League quarter-final.
After his 50-million-pound move from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809, Torres has had a dismal time at Stamford Bridge so far. The Spaniard is yet to break the goal deadlock in nine appearances for the Blues.
The Chelsea boss has received heavy criticism for sticking with Torres in important matches ahead of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Anelka-c27786 but it seems the Italian is finally running out of patience.
At a press conference, Ancelotti was asked whether he would consider dropping Torres from Chelsea’s starting eleven against United.
The manager said while replying to that question, “Why not? There is a lot of competition up front. It is my job to choose the best line-up and I don't consider the money the club has paid for the players when I do that. Roman (Abramovich, Chelsea Owner)
is intelligent and he would never ask me to do this."
"You don't judge a player by the money he earns. You judge his performance on the pitch. I have to choose my team based on the training sessions, the condition of the players and their spirit. Fernando knows this very well," added the manager.
Torres’ last goal in top flight football came two and a half months ago, when the striker scored a brace in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952.
The 51-year-old admitted that the Spaniard is going through a difficult phase and believes he needs to be strong and work hard in order to overcome his barren spell in front of goal.
The Chelsea boss added that the 27-year-old has full support and confidence from the club to help him through this troubled time.
The Blues will host bottom side Wigan Athletic for their next English Premier League encounter and Torres will have an excellent chance to break his goal drought.
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