DI MATTEO: TALKING TORRES

The majority of the squad are back in training but as he awaits the return of Fernando Torres, Roberto Di Matteo is anticipating coaching a striker next season whose spirits are high. Back in May the Italian waved goodbye to a No. 9 who had just become a European champion at club level and since then Torres and Spain kept hold of that title at international level too. But the player, who came on as a substitute in the latter stages of our Champions League victory in Munich, spoke soon after that game about what had been a difficult year personally. Di Matteo believes the next 12 months will be positive ones for the player. 'I did speak to Torres after the final, I had a chat with him the morning after and we have been in touch since as well.' he reveals. 'It was a feeling he had at the time. There are no concerns about Fernando at all and I am expecting him here in a good mood, buzzing and to be very good next season. 'I was very happy with Fernando [last season]. I said this many times and winning the Euro 2012 Golden Boot, being European champion and the trophies he won with us should give him a lot of confidence - but I was always very happy with him and I expect him next season to be a fantastic player for us.' Torres has a three-week break from the end of his involvement with Spain before he joins Chelsea's pre-season preparations. Naturally Di Matteo is not promising an automatic place as the spearhead of the attack, despite the departure of Didier Drogba. 'We have three strikers at the moment in the squad and they will all have to fight and there is competition which is very healthy. They will have to fight for their position and whoever is in the best form and is best for the team will play.' from:http://www.app.chelseafc.com/news#2835139