Torres – I am now at the highest level

The ex-Liverpool striker Fernando Torres joined Chelsea for a British record transfer fee of £50m yesterday, and is convinced that he has now joined a club that is at the pinnacle of World Football.

He also revealed that Chelsea and Liverpool had been talking for 12 days about the move and how difficult it had been for him during that time.

“I’m so, so happy and so, so proud to be here, finally, after these 12 days of conversations,” Torres said.

“But, at the end of the day, I can say I’m a Chelsea player and I’m really, really happy. This is the kind of team I like to play against because that motivates me, but it’s the kind of team I want to play for. It’s always very tough playing against Chelsea, it’s one of the biggest teams in Europe, always fighting for everything.

“So, after this, there are no more steps forward. This is the top level. The target for every footballer is to try and play at one of the top-level clubs in the world, and I can do it now. I have to be very, very happy as I am. The last three or four days have been very hard for me, especially after everything I have lived in Liverpool.

“But, as I said before, I can say I’m a Chelsea player now. I’m really happy and I’m sure I am doing one big step forward in my career joining a club like Chelsea. This is a great club, a real responsibility and everyone is expecting great things about me and I’m prepared and ready for the challenge.”

It is also a signal of intent that Abramovich intends to take the Blues back up to the highest level again, and regain our place at the top of the table. And why not take the Champions League this season as well?