Source: Team_Talk
Cech hails Torres performance
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes Fernando Torres' performance at Stoke on Sunday proves he is closing on a return to top form.[LNB] Torres started Sunday's goalless draw at Stoke as the centre-forward in a 4-3-3 formation with both Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka on the bench.[LNB]Although he could not add to his tally of just one goal in 18 previous appearances since his £50million January move from Liverpool, the 27-year-old showed flashes of the player who scored 50 goals in just 64 league matches for the Merseysiders.[LNB]Cech said: "It has made a huge difference that he had a pre-season with us.[LNB]"Sometimes when you come for such a huge amount of money to a different team and city everything changes and there is a lot of pressure.[LNB]"He had some injuries last season and it was not the ideal situation for him but you could see he was settling well every week.[LNB]"Now he has got to know the players and the way that we play.[LNB]"He had a really good game against Stoke and he deserved to get a goal.[LNB]"He was close on a few occasions, he created space and chances for the others.[LNB]"I thought Fernando was brilliant up front and it was just a pity we did not convert our chances.[LNB]"It was great to see."[LNB]Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou were charged with providing the ammunition for Torres at the Britannia Stadium but they eventually made way for Drogba and Anelka.[LNB]With Daniel Sturridge still to return from suspension Cech believes Chelsea's forward line could prove crucial over the season.[LNB]"Having so many good strikers will definitely make a difference," he added.[LNB]"The season is very long and we want to compete in every competition.[LNB]"This season there is the African Nations Cup and a lot of teams will be affected - we have a lot of Africans as well - so it is good to have a large squad.[LNB]"I think we have a very good squad, although I think the manager wants to get a couple more players."[LNB]Andre Villas-Boas, on his managerial debut in English football, pinned his colours to the mast by selecting Torres ahead of his two major rivals.[LNB]Although he eventually asked them to combine as a front three it is unlikely that will be a long-term option.[LNB]"We like 4-3-3 but we have tested a couple of systems in pre-season which give us some flexibility," said Villas-Boas.[LNB]"In the end it is not because you add a striker you become more offensive, you have to create the right dynamic and hopefully through the passing of the weeks we can be more dynamic.[LNB]"In the circumstances, the first game of the season, we had possession and chances but didn't score.[LNB]"The positive part is we didn't lose the game, we got a point and got a clean sheet and were pretty solid.[LNB]"We showed we could cope with this kind of pressure so we are positive going into the next game at home (to West Brom)."[LNB]Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu, who signed from Barcelona in July, saw his international duty come to an end after Spain were eliminated from the Under-20 World Cup.[LNB]He is expected to be given some time off to recuperate but his return sooner than expected will boost midfield numbers for Villas-Boas.[LNB]John Obi Mikel, who played the full 90 minutes at Stoke, is still awaiting news of his father Michael after he was abducted in Nigeria on Friday.[LNB]The midfielder was told the news prior to the game was opted to play.[LNB]Chelsea have pledged whatever support he needs and the 24-year-old will be afforded time off should he require it.
