Mourinho Promise to Fix Defective Torres Back into His Best Form

Jose Mourinho has vowed to fix Fernando Torres and transform the £50million striker back into one of Europe’s most feared sharpshooters.

The Spain forward, 29, made his first appearance of pre-season yesterday, coming on as a second-half substitute in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Inter Milan here in Indianapolis.

Torres enjoyed a reputation as one of Europe’s most potent strikers during his stay at Liverpool, where he used his blistering pace to latch on to precise through balls from Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.

But the Blues boss has provided the biggest hint yet that Torres has a  part to play in his Chelsea blueprint, revealing he has a plan to get the  forward back among the goals.

Mourinho said: ‘We know Torres’s game. When we see Torres with his back to goal surrounded by two or three opponents, we know that he is not going to produce a piece of magic. But this is Torres.

We want the team not to learn how to play with him, but to improve how to play with him.

‘We won’t re-model his game, it is impossible to re-model his game. But we want to adapt the team and teach the team how to use his best qualities, because his game is his game.

He is not a kid any more, he is at an age where it is difficult to change his play. He is what he is and he is very good with the qualities that he has got. So we need to learn and support his game.

‘I feel he is highly motivated, he works very hard. I think some of the work we do with the team in terms of attack suits his qualities.

‘So let’s see what happens. We are here to support him.’

Meanwhile, skipper John Terry escaped serious injury during the win over Inter after he was on the  receiving end of a horror-challenge from Hugo Campagnaro.

The Italian, 33, was shown a straight red card for what looked like an intentional stamp on Terry’s ankle.

And Mourinho was less than impressed with the tackle on his  skipper, saying: ‘John was lucky to escape a serious injury. Even though I’d prefer to keep the teams 11 versus 11 in friendlies, the player has to go.

‘The referee did well, the rules are the rules.’

The Guinness International Champions Cup win over Mourinho’s former club ensured that Chelsea maintained their 100 per cent start to pre-season, but the Portuguese added: ‘What would it mean to win this tournament? Not a lot.

‘It’s four wins from four in pre-season, but we have zero points.
‘The match we have to win is against Hull City.’

Barcelona are ready to step up their interest in Chelsea defender David Luiz over the next week.