Benitez takes the credit for Torres scoring more goals for Chelsea

The new Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez was in charge at Liverpool when Fernando Torres gained his reputation as a brilliant goalscorer, and now he is back mentoring the Spanish striker Benitez says that his advice to Torres has helped him regain his scoring boots.

Benitez said after yesterdays win over Sunderland: “It’s fair to say that we are watching now a Fernando with more confidence and with more belief, and at the same time, the team is the same way.

“I was analysing his movement before and we were adjusting little things. It’s a question of confidence and just little different movements.

“I have said before, if the team plays well and creates chances, Fernando will score goals.”

It was the first ever penalty from Torres that gave Chelsea a 2-0 lead, and the fact that he asked David Luiz to let him take it is just further proof of his sudden increase in belief in his own abilities: “For me, the positive thing is that he had confidence. David has a lot of confidence, but Fernando said, ‘Yes, I will take it and I will score’.

“We have three (penalty takers) and it depends on the moment. Sometimes you have a player who has more confidence. They decide. They are players and they know how they are on the pitch.”

So Chelsea have now won two games in a row, with Torres scoring a brace in both. This can only give them great confidence going into the World Club Championship. Perhaps Benitez really can turn Chelsea’s season around?