Fernando Torres still has a future at Chelsea, insists Jose Mourinho.
The Blues boss benched the £50m striker for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final as Chelsea slumped to a 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
Obviously he wants to score more goals – it’s not just me that wants [him to score goals]. Yes he has a future.
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho has been critical of his misfiring forwards in recent weeks as the Blues suffered blows to their title hopes with 1-0 defeats at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
Torres has managed to score a disappointing four Premier League goals this season, prompting speculation that the former Liverpool man could leave west London this summer.
But Mourinho said: “Everyone wants to improve and obviously Chelsea want to improve.
“Does he have a future? Yes, he has. He has a contract, he is a good professional, he works hard for the team and brings positive things to the team.
“Obviously he wants to score more goals – it’s not just me that wants [him to score goals]. Yes, he has a future.”
Mourinho feels that Torres has shown glimpses of the form that he produced during his spell at Liverpool, but the Chelsea boss admits that the 30-year-old hasn’t been consistent enough.
“I think during his period in the club he had moments – and some of them important moments,” he continued.
“But long periods of performing week in, week out, he has not had a lot of.
“He is not scoring a lot in his Chelsea career, he is always having these moments. I believe [he will] have moments until the end of the season.”