I'll win Champions League for Roman Abramovich, claims Fernando Torres - Football - Sport - Evening Standard
       

I'll win Champions League for Roman Abramovich, claims Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres has set his sights on firing Chelsea to Champions League glory at Wembley in May after completing his British record £50million transfer from Liverpool.

The Spain international signed a five-and-a-half year contract worth £180,000 a week just before the 11pm deadline last night.

In an incredible show of strength and intent, Chelsea also secured the signing of Benfica star defender David Luiz until 2016 in a deal worth £21m with midfielder Nemanja Matic going the other way.

Despite their claims to the contrary, Liverpool had no choice but to sell their prized asset after Torres made it clear on Friday night that he wanted to leave for Stamford Bridge in order to win major silverware.

The 26-year-old is already eyeing up the biggest trophy of the lot as he is eligible to play in the remainder of Chelsea's Champions League campaign this season.

He is not cup-tied even though he played in the Europa League for Liverpool and will be able to play in Chelsea's last-16 tie against FC Copenhagen later this month.

Torres said: "It's my dream to win the Champions League and I'm sure I can get it playing for Chelsea.

"I think all my team-mates share this dream with me so, hopefully, we can achieve that.

"The Champions League is a big ambition and all footballers want to play in it. It is a very important competition.

"But also Chelsea have the chance every season to win all the trophies that they play for, so when you have the chance to play in a team like this you cannot say 'no'."

Torres is set to make his debut against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and is sure to face a hostile reception after suggesting he has joined a bigger club.

He added: "It is like destiny. It is not perfect for me but we will see what happens. It has been two or three or four very hard days.

"I am a Chelsea player now and I am really happy. I am sure I am taking a big step forward in my career joining a club like Chelsea.

"It is the kind of team I want to play for, one of the biggest in Europe who are always fighting for everything. After that there are no more steps forward, this is the type of football I want to play - they are one of the top clubs in the world and I can do it now. I have to be very happy and I am.

"I felt from last summer that I needed to take a step forward in my career and for my ambition as a footballer.

"I am joining a club with big names like [John] Terry, [Frank] Lampard, [Didier] Drogba and [Nicolas] Anelka and I can be part of this great team.

"I just want to be at the level where I am pleased to stay. Everybody will be expecting big things from me and I am prepared for it. I like to play in games that motivate me."

The arrival of Torres, who scored 81 goals in 142 appearances during his prolific three-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield, will see him reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Yossi Benayoun. The duo roomed together when they were both at Liverpool before Benayoun, who is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury, joined Chelsea last summer.

Torres has struggled for form this term and has put the blame on Liverpool not having players of the ability of Benayoun to help him.

He said: "I need this kind of player and Chelsea have plenty who can play with quality that can see the last pass. For my kind of football it is very nice to have these kind of players.

"I had a very good relationship with Yossi on and off the pitch. It is great news for me to join the same team as him again at a club like Chelsea.

"I have already spoken with Yossi. He was very worried about everything during the last few days but he is very happy as well and I am delighted to play with him again. Hopefully, he will be back on the pitch as soon as possible and I can join him on the pitch.

"I am just hoping to arrive at the training ground, see all my new team-mates, meet them and join them as soon as possible."

Torres will have to wait as Chelsea play Sunderland tonight but he is relieved that he will now be on the same side as captain John Terry even though he netted seven times in eight games against the Blues.

He added: "I know he is a great captain and he is exactly the kind of player I want to play with and not against because it is very tough to play against John Terry.

"I have played against Chelsea, too, many times in the past and things happen on the pitch but they stay on the pitch and I am very happy to play in the same team as him because he's a good player."

Comments

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking