By NEIL ASHTON
Rafa Benitez has launched a bizarre defence of Fernando Torres as Chelsea stand on the verge of an embarrassing Champions League exit on Wednesday night.
The interim Chelsea coach claims the £50million striker’s biggest contribution is defending set-pieces for the European champions and says there is no need to worry about his goal drought because he is scoring goals for fun in training.
Chelsea need Torres, who has not scored since November 7, to find the net in a proper match against Nordsjaelland if they are to progress from Group E.
Benitez reacted after ex-Manchester United defender and Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville said Chelsea players have lost confidence in Torres.
Benitez said: ‘The main thing is what you can see as a manager on the pitch and in training – and Fernando is doing a great job. In training he scores a lot of goals, but it’s not just about that. I don’t know if Gary Neville had the opportunity to analyse the corners against us, but Fernando is amazing.
‘He has cleared the ball two or three times and afterwards he goes man to man because he’s good in the air. He’s a striker but he helps the team.
‘I didn’t watch the analysis, but Fernando is a great player and his team-mates know he’s a great player.
‘If he’s in the right position, they will play with him. If he’s in the wrong position, maybe not but I can make the analysis 200 times watching the telly and I’ll be right. I can find clips you can use in one way or the other way.’
Chelsea need to overcome Nordsjaelland and then hope Group E leaders Shakhtar Donetsk beat Juventus at home to avoid a humiliating Champions League exit.
Benitez added: ‘It’s part of my job to push on and try to keep them (the players) in the competition.’
Benitez also admitted Eden Hazard is struggling to cope with the demands of playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs after his £32m move from Lille.
Hazard was singled out by team-mates after the 3-2 home win over Shakhtar for his lack of work-rate.
Benitez said: ‘He has to adapt to the tempo of the Premier League. It’s not the same as France where he was the main man. ‘Here in the Premier League you have to be at your best all the time or you will not be able to make the difference in matches. He’s doing well, but he could do better.’
