Fernando Torres hopes to create history with Chelsea this season, by helping them become the first team to retain the UEFA Champions League.
The Blues finally won the premier club competition in Europe last season, when they defeated Bayern Munich on penalties in the final. And as the competition gets underway again this week, Torres has set his sights on playing a key role in helping the Londoners hold onto their crown as Kings of Europe.
“I think all the fans are excited about the Premier League again, after a couple of years of not winning the trophy,” he said in the Daily Star Sunday. “So the Premier League is a big target and maybe we can become the first team to win two Champions Leagues in a row.”
Chelsea have made a bright start to the season, with a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday the only blemish on their record. Prior to that they won all of their three opening Premier League matches, so they stand at the head of the table after the first four fixtures.
Torres has played his part in these opening stages, having assumed a greater importance to the team since the departure of the talismanic Didier Drogba. The Spaniard has started all their games so far and has chipped in with two goals, and after a troublesome first 18 months since his British record £50million move from Liverpool, he feels he is finally set to take centre stage at Stamford Bridge.
“Didier is not here anymore, so there is more responsibility for me and I’m ready for the challenge,” the 28-year-old added. “Now, I am looking for new personal targets, like getting as many goals as possible – hopefully more than in my best season at Liverpool.”
Roberto Di Matteo’s men begin their quest to retain the Champions League on Wednesday night, when Italian giants Juventus visit the English capital. Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk and Danish minnows Nordsjaelland make up Group E.
Follow takefootball on twitter!
