Benayoun still labels mis-firing Torres as world’s best
Published:Despite failing to score in any of his ten games since signing for Chelsea for £50m at the end of the January transfer window, Yossi Benayoun still rates Fernando Torres as the best striker in world football.
Torres’ latest disappointment in front of goal came when he was introduced for 30 minutes as a second-half substitute in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Wigan.
Benayoun also stepped off the bench against Wigan to play his first game for almost six months and knows Torres better than most as the duo also spent three years together previously at Liverpool.
From this time Benayoun knows exactly what Torres is capable of and believes that it is merely a matter of time before he is back among the goals again.
Benayoun said: “For me, he is the best striker in the world.
“For any midfielder, it is easy to play with him and I think he will score a lot of goals because he’s just quality.”
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez also had some praise for Torres and remains convinced that £50m will eventually seem a “bargain” for his fellow Spaniard.
Although Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations are now as good as over, Torres still has the opportunity to make his mark in the Champions League.
Chelsea are 11 points behind in the title race with a game in hand and are 14/1 in the Premier League odds to make a late assault to become champions.
Therefore, their best chance of silverware remains in the Champions League, although they are up against it to progress past Manchester United in the quarter finals.
Chelsea are 1-0 down heading into their second leg with Manchester United and are 5/2 to qualify for the semi finals, while Torres is 9/4 to score at any time at Old Trafford.
A £30 stake on Torres scoring first in the second leg against Manchester United would return £210. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
