Yossi Benayoun says Fernando Torres's
difficulties at Chelsea is as a result of mismanagements. Benayoun, who is back in contention at Chelsea after a return from injury and a loan spell at
West Ham United, says Torres, his friend and former Liverpool team-mate, was
not given the trust and confidence that he needed at Chelsea by
managers who managed the club.
Torres who arrived Chelsea in 2011 from
Liverpool, struggled under Carlo Ancelotti and then, last season, under André
Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo who was replaced by Rafael Benítez last
November.
Torres's performances have been better this season, even though he he score just a goal in 13 appearances and the poor showing in
Thursdays match. "It has been a hard time for him," Benayoun said. "The
situation from the beginning was bad management. This is my opinion. When
he came in, he was on the bench, then on the pitch and so he did not get the
confidence when he came in. And with the £50m above his head, it is not easy
for any player. This season he was scoring a few in a row and then another bad
spell but he just needs to believe in himself, to keep doing the right
movements".
"This is the first year the club gave him the 100% confidence that he
needs to be No1. He has had good spells and bad spells but he has 15 goals
already. That is not bad but hopefully he will finish with 25. It would be good
to get his confidence back and be his old self.
"Personally, I believe in him 100%. For me, he is still one of the
best."
Benayoun and Chelsea hold an option in the summer to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge for a final year but the
32-year-old is focused on achieving the club's aims over the next three months.
's 1-0 Europa League victory at Sparta
Prague.
He stands to be replaced by Demba Ba for Sunday's
FA Cup fourth round replay at
home to Brentford but Benayoun is convinced that the Chelsea support will come
to see Torres back in the form that he once showed at Liverpool.
"We should finish in the first three, at least, and continue well in
the Europa League and the FA Cup," he said. "This team can and must
win titles this season, even though we have the disappointment of being out of
the Champions League and being too far from Manchester United in the Premier
League. We will try to finish well. I'm very confident we will."