Torres isn't my obsession, says Villas-Boas despite misfiring Fernando's latest flop
By Matt Barlow
Last updated at 10:45 PM on 21st July 2011
Andre Villas-Boas watched Fernando Torres labour in the equatorial heat for 45 minutes before claiming he does not share the nation's 'obsession' with English football's most expensive player.
Villas-Boas insists he is not concerned about the misfiring Torres, who scored only once in 18 games for Chelsea last season, following his £50million move from Liverpool.
The Spaniard found the net against Wycombe in a training game behind closed doors but, even though pre-season friendlies are easily dismissed as glorified training exercises, he lacked any spark at Portsmouth on Saturday, or against a Malaysia XI on Thursday.
Chelsea beat the Malaysians 1-0 in front of nearly 85,000 in Kuala Lumpur, the winner a disputed own goal, 12 minutes from time, by substitute goalkeeper Mohd Tarmizi.
Didier Drogba's free-kick hit a post, then rebounded into Tarmizi, who seemed to recover and stop the ball before it went in, although the goal was given by the linesman.
No Chelsea player received a bigger roar from the frenzied fans than Torres, who started as the spearhead in a three-man frontline with Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou.
Benayoun created a glorious chance for him in the second minute but he was denied by the keeper. Torres toiled in the heat and squeezed a more tricky opportunity wide before he was replaced at half-time.
Villas-Boas said: 'The most important thing for us is to score and win. Whoever scores doesn't matter.
'The importance of these games is to get a feel for your team. Individual objectives don't play a part.
No spark: Torres failed to shine yet again in a pre-season friendly against a Malaysia XI
No spark: Torres failed to shine yet again in a pre-season friendly against a Malaysia XI
'I do not want there to be an obsession with this. My obsession is to win trophies and take this team to success.
'Your focus is purely on the individual and not the performance of the team, which is more important. Things will happen naturally.'
Earlier this week, Torres said he felt energised after his first summer break in five years, but doubts will remain until he recovers the blistering form that was the hallmark of his early time at Liverpool.Horror show: Frank Lampard didn't appear to like what he was seeing as Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 win
Horror show: Frank Lampard didn't appear to like what he was seeing as Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 win
There are also questions over his ability to dovetail with Drogba, and Villas-Boas has yet to pair the two. But the Chelsea boss insisted the club did not need a new striker, suggesting teenager Romelu Lukaku may go back to Anderlecht on loan if he completes a proposed £18m move.
'He had a magnificent season in Belgium but I can't comment on the speculation,' said Villas-Boas. 'Let's wait and see if it becomes a reality.
'On the decision to bring in another forward, at the moment, I don't think we need to.'
Goalkeeper Petr Cech may return from injury against a Thailand XI in Bangkok on Sunday but defender Alex is further behind in his recovery from a knee injury.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2017421/Villas-Boas-Torres-isnt-obsession.html#ixzz1SmjvDSfO
By Matt Barlow
Last updated at 10:45 PM on 21st July 2011
Andre Villas-Boas watched Fernando Torres labour in the equatorial heat for 45 minutes before claiming he does not share the nation's 'obsession' with English football's most expensive player.
Villas-Boas insists he is not concerned about the misfiring Torres, who scored only once in 18 games for Chelsea last season, following his £50million move from Liverpool.
The Spaniard found the net against Wycombe in a training game behind closed doors but, even though pre-season friendlies are easily dismissed as glorified training exercises, he lacked any spark at Portsmouth on Saturday, or against a Malaysia XI on Thursday.
Chelsea beat the Malaysians 1-0 in front of nearly 85,000 in Kuala Lumpur, the winner a disputed own goal, 12 minutes from time, by substitute goalkeeper Mohd Tarmizi.
Didier Drogba's free-kick hit a post, then rebounded into Tarmizi, who seemed to recover and stop the ball before it went in, although the goal was given by the linesman.
No Chelsea player received a bigger roar from the frenzied fans than Torres, who started as the spearhead in a three-man frontline with Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou.
Benayoun created a glorious chance for him in the second minute but he was denied by the keeper. Torres toiled in the heat and squeezed a more tricky opportunity wide before he was replaced at half-time.
Villas-Boas said: 'The most important thing for us is to score and win. Whoever scores doesn't matter.
'The importance of these games is to get a feel for your team. Individual objectives don't play a part.
No spark: Torres failed to shine yet again in a pre-season friendly against a Malaysia XI
No spark: Torres failed to shine yet again in a pre-season friendly against a Malaysia XI
'I do not want there to be an obsession with this. My obsession is to win trophies and take this team to success.
'Your focus is purely on the individual and not the performance of the team, which is more important. Things will happen naturally.'
Earlier this week, Torres said he felt energised after his first summer break in five years, but doubts will remain until he recovers the blistering form that was the hallmark of his early time at Liverpool.Horror show: Frank Lampard didn't appear to like what he was seeing as Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 win
Horror show: Frank Lampard didn't appear to like what he was seeing as Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 win
There are also questions over his ability to dovetail with Drogba, and Villas-Boas has yet to pair the two. But the Chelsea boss insisted the club did not need a new striker, suggesting teenager Romelu Lukaku may go back to Anderlecht on loan if he completes a proposed £18m move.
'He had a magnificent season in Belgium but I can't comment on the speculation,' said Villas-Boas. 'Let's wait and see if it becomes a reality.
'On the decision to bring in another forward, at the moment, I don't think we need to.'
Goalkeeper Petr Cech may return from injury against a Thailand XI in Bangkok on Sunday but defender Alex is further behind in his recovery from a knee injury.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2017421/Villas-Boas-Torres-isnt-obsession.html#ixzz1SmjvDSfO
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