Torres 'misses Gerrard service'

Chelsea assistant manager Michael Emenalo believes a lack of service explains Fernando Torres' difficulty in settling at Stamford Bridge.

Torres has been woefully out of touch since his £50million move from Liverpool in January, hitting the target just once.

Emenalo believes the Spain striker is missing the influence of the Reds' midfield, who supplied him with the ammunition to fire 81 goals in 126 appearances while at Anfield.

"I can say he's still adapting to the pattern of Chelsea at the moment," Emenalo said. "This is due to the fact he's still missing the juicy passes being served to him by the likes of (Xabi) Alonso and (Steven) Gerrard, but with time he will adapt."

Chelsea finished second in the Barclays Premier League - nine points behind champions Manchester United - after suffering a mid-season collapse in form.

Former Nigeria international Emenalo admits the temperament of some members of the squad has been found wanting.

When asked why he thought so many players including Michael Essien, Florent Malouda and Jon Obi Mikel had underperformed, he replied: "High expectations from fans and management made them play the way they played, in the sense that they didn't perform as usual because they were playing under pressure."

Emenalo, who admits his own future hangs in the balance following the removal of Carlo Ancelotti, insists that winning the Champions League is Chelsea's priority next season and expects Didier Drogba to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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