Fernando Torres would welcome the addition of a player of Radamel Falcao’s class to the Chelsea ranks but is confident he will retain the faith of the club’s hierarchy, with the Spain international intent upon remaining a key player next season.
The club’s British record signing will lead the line against Basel at St Jakob-Park in the first leg tonight as he attempts to maintain the eye-catching form that has illuminated Chelsea’s campaign.
Torres has mustered 18 goals and impressed in recent outings, suggesting a return to the form that earned him a £50 million move to Stamford Bridge in January 2011 and fuelling his desire to see out his contract despite the club's ambition to add to their options.
Falcao target
Asked specifically about Falcao, who is expected to leave Atletico Madrid this summer, with Chelsea one of a clutch of elite clubs hopeful of securing the Colombian's signature, Torres said: "When you play for Chelsea you're always hoping big players come and the big names are always being linked. You cannot stop that, especially when the summer comes. Every player is welcome at Chelsea, every top player. Since I came to Chelsea only top players have come, so it would not be a surprise [if Chelsea signed Falcao]. I know I want to stay here. I want to be at Chelsea at least the next two years. If they change their minds it's a different question, but the relationship between me and the club is always very straight.
“It’s not a problem at all. I have always felt part of the club. Things have changed [since last year when he appeared to be an understudy for Didier Drogba] and you could see this season that I’ve been the main striker, then Demba Ba came to join the club. But I really think the club always told me the truth.”
The Europa League is the only trophy Chelsea can claim from a campaign that will be extended to 62 games against the Swiss side, who have not lost in six European home matches and top their domestic league.
The interim manager, Rafael Benitez, must juggle his ambition to win a trophy with the necessity to qualify for the Champions League and, having slipped to fourth place in the Premier League, is unlikely to risk starting with Ashley Cole or Gary Cahill, who have travelled after lay-offs through injury.
Good players
"They have very good players, are well organised and work very hard as a team," said Benitez. "It will be tough. We can talk about Manchester United before [in last season's Champions League], we can talk about Tottenham now [in the Europa League quarter-final]. Those teams are top level and still could not win at Basel.
“My message in the last months is we have to be in the Champions League – especially for the players. It depends on them, their performance on the pitch.
“If we can win a trophy, that also depends on players. For me, everything will be a bonus, fantastic. If we win [the Europa League], if we finish in the top three . . . but the players have to realise it is more important even for them.”
Guardian Service
