Mourinho: Torres Has Chelsea Future

World Cup-winning Torres, a British record £50million buy from Liverpool in January 2011, was overlooked for a striker-less starting XI for Wednesday's loss at Paris St Germain as Mourinho finally appeared to lose patience with the Spaniard.

Torres, who signed a five-and-a-half-year deal on his deadline day arrival from Anfield, has scored 44 goals in 164 appearances for the Blues, including nine in 33 games this term.

"Does he have a future? Yes, he has," Mourinho said.

"He is under contract, he's a good professional. He works hard for the team, he brings positive things to the team.

"Obviously, we want him to score more goals. Obviously, he wants to score more goals. It's not just me that wants.

"People that give everything they have you never can blame and you never can complain.

"When he's on the pitch he tries to do his best. Obviously we want more. Obviously.

"He's the first one that wants more, but he's the kind of player I respect, he deserves to be respected and there's nothing more you can say about it."

In contrast to Mourinho's first spell, when owner Roman Abramovich bank-rolled an extravagant spending spree, Chelsea are endeavouring to comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations to live within their means.

Yet it is possible Chelsea will recruit the striker Mourinho covets this summer - with Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa among those linked - which comes at a cost.

January sales of Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne allowed Mourinho to sign Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah, but one large outlay can be anticipated this summer.

Asked if the Blues can spend £50m on one player, Mourinho said: "I think Chelsea can do that.

"I think Chelsea can't do that with four or five players and bring in the investment for £200m or £250m, but Chelsea can do that with one player.
Five Chelsea managers - Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafael Benitez and now Mourinho - have struggled with the Torres conundrum.
"During his period in the club he had moments and some of them important moments," Mourinho said.
"In spite of his not scoring a lot during his career at Chelsea, he always has these moments.
"I believe in these moments till the end of the season."