Monday, 12 September 2011

Villas-Boas Seeks Torres Tapes


Chelsea are taking 'in-depth' measures to establish the accuracy of an interview in which Fernando Torres appeared to criticise his club-mates.

The striker spoke to the official website of Spain's Primera Liga last week, with an English translation later appearing on the striker's personal website.

Torres, who has endured a miserable run in front of goal since his £50million move from Liverpool, was quoted as branding Chelsea's "older" players as "very slow", and hailing new team-mate Juan Mata as a necessary signing.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas sought an explanation from Torres, who claimed his words were not translated accurately on his own website.

"I think any player who's not part of the squad or the selected players is not happy." 
Andre Villas-Boas

Chelsea were on Monday seeking to obtain a copy of the interview in its original Spanish and Villas-Boas revealed he would warn Torres not to speak so candidly about the club in future if the translation did stand up.
Opinion

He said: "We are going in-depth to regain the tape of that interview. We'll see if things play exactly as they are in that interview."

The interview was authorised by Chelsea, otherwise Torres would have been facing a fine.

Asked what action would be taken if the translation proved accurate, Villas-Boas said: "We'd just talk. Just talk. To share opinion. If it was unauthorised, I'd fine him. Of course."

He added: "Anyhow, it's one player's perspective. I don't think it's a perspective that the manager shares. I don't have to share my players' ideas sometimes.

"I think we have competence, apart from the 'age problem', which for me is not a problem. Maybe we just have to speak about that situation and he has to see our view as well."
Troubles

Torres' troubles show no sign of abating, with the 27-year-old losing his place in the side for Saturday's Premier League win at Sunderland having also failed to even make the bench for Spain's European Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Villas-Boas did not offer Torres an explanation having admitted 48 hours earlier he would not hesitate to drop the striker if it benefited the team.

"I just made the changes," said Villas-Boas as he considers whether to recall Torres for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen.

"I think any player who's not part of the squad or the selected players is not happy.

"I'm glad because maybe you can stimulate them to go one step further, or motivate them a bit more."