Fernando Torres has reflected on the competition for places with Spain, whether we will see a ‘false 9’ tactic and on his future at Chelsea.
The striker is currently with the Spain squad ahead of this summer’s Confederations Cup campaign which kicks off on Sunday.
“I am waiting for the championship to start. These weeks are needed to get us back into shape and working well again, but we are already looking forward to the tournament starting,”
“The debate about the strikers? There are always debates. This year, with Iker Casillas, there has been discussion and during the tournament there will be with other names, people pushing for a place in the team and providing good competition.”
Torres is back in the national team picture after a recent omission during March’s international break.
“Of course I felt returning would be difficult, when you are not in the final squads before a competition, it is difficult.
“It happened ahead of the European Championship last summer, but I’ve always had the confidence to do things right when called upon.
“This season I ended things well and so I could be here. Hopefully we will see the same result as we had at the European Championship.
“‘False 9’ or striker? It depends on the game and what is needed. At the Euros it also seemed that the Coach would play with a 9 and then the Coach surprised us in the first game, so there is a lot of competition and different options.”
Torres was asked of Spain’s motivation as world and double European champions to get themselves up for this summer.
“We have not won everything. We haven’t won this tournament yet and we are here to do so. Every time you win, the momentum and the moment makes you want to do so again.
“So you are looking forward, to the next tournament to win and to continue to make history. We have conquered the Euros, World Cup and Euros and we now want to lift the Confederations Cup, which we lack.
“And then link it to the World Cup, why not?”
Torres has been linked with an exit from Chelsea this summer, after Jose Mourinho’s arrival as manager.
“He has won a lot more than many of us. It is a new challenge and I am eager to face it.
“The Casillas situation? Well, I know that none of us were there and it is not good to comment on that. Both he as the Coach and Iker as the player cannot be doubted for their ability.
“Mourinho says he will make me better if I stay? His words motivate me. He said he will not talk to the players that are here in Brazil until the tournament is over.
“He will then explain what he thinks of me and my situation and then I’ll say what I think too.
“I want to stay, I want to fulfil the contract that I signed, to keep winning titles and I’d like to be the best in my position. There is no place better and no conditions better than with Mourinho at Chelsea.”
