Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez: Fernando Torres is defending well and scoring lots in training

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has tried a new tactic to inspire Fernando Torres - damning him with faint praise.

Back together: Chelsea striker Fernando Torres with Rafa Benitez Photo: AP

Benitez has been tasked with reviving his countryman, who has endured a wretched two years at Stamford Bridge despite winning the Champions League and FA Cup.
But the £50million signing, who has scored just 19 goals in 90 appearances, has failed to impress in his three games under Benitez, during which Chelsea have picked up just two points.And in an apparent attempt to boost his confidence, Benitez today spoke about the things Torres is doing well - defending corners, and scoring goals in training.
"The main thing is what you can see as a manager on the pitch and training sessions and he is doing well," Benitez said ahead of the Champions League game against Nordsjaelland.
"He scored a lot of goals in training today. He is a great player and if he is the right positions they will play with him and if he's not they won't.
"It's not just scoring goals. If you analyse the corners (against us) he was amazing, two or three times clearing the ball. He was helping the team defend. But as a striker you want him to score goals."
"It's harder for him (than when he played for Liverpool) because now teams drop off and he has less space," added Benitez. "But still we must create better chances for him.
"Torres is an important player but we need goals from other players too."
Didier Drogba's departure in the summer has left Torres as Chelsea's first-choice striker this season, while the injury to Daniel Strurridge has also heaped more pressure on his slumped shoulders.
Torres has failed to score in the Premier League for almost two months, a drought that has co-incided almost exactly with Chelsea's seven-match winless run, their worst for 15 years.