Spain international has endured a torrid time at the Bridge since arriving from Liverpool.
Yossi Benayoun claims that it is Chelsea’s fault that record-signing Fernando Torres has failed to live up to expectations since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Liverpool two years ago.
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The Israel international, who followed the striker to west London from Anfield later that same season, believes that the Blues failed to support their British-record £50 million signing enough when he first arrived at the club, instead preferring fans’ favourite Didier Drogba in attack.
“For me he is still one of the best strikers in the world,” said Benayoun in the Daily Mail. “I believe in him 100 per cent. You do not change so quick from being one of the best in the world to a player some people say is not good enough for Chelsea.
“In my opinion, the situation from the beginning was managed badly with him.
“When he came in, he was on the bench and then on the pitch, so he did not get the confidence when he came in and with £50m above his head, it is not easy for any player.
“You can understand it is not easy to come from being the top striker at Liverpool.
“He was unbelievable, you gave him the ball and you knew he would score, but he had a bad time in the beginning at Chelsea.
“This season is the first time he has been given the chance to be No.1 because Drogba was here, so there was competition. This is the first year the club gave him the 100 per cent confidence he needs to be No.1.
“He has had good spells and bad spells and has 15 goals already. That’s not bad but hopefully he will finish with 25. It would be good to get his confidence back and be his old self.”
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