Chelsea FC: Fernando Torres Grateful For Spain World Cup Opportunity

Chelsea FC striker Fernando Torres spoke to the media today about how grateful he is to be back in the Spain World Cup squad and how he will fight for his place in the final 23. The Spanish striker has not been with the team since last summer’s Confederations Cup in which he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer but Spain fell to Brazil in the final. Say what you will about Torres’s form with Chelsea but he has no problems scoring when he is wearing the Spanish kit after also winning the Golden Boot in the 2012 Euro Cup.

More from Chelsea FC News

• Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
• Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
• Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
• Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young players
• These 3 new signings may never get a game at Chelsea

Torres has struggled to keep his place in the Spanish squad and coach Vincente Del Bosque is always keen to bring on other Spanish strikers such as Roberto Soldado, Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Llorente and even brought in the Brazil-born Diego Costa. Somehow, some way, Fernando Torres still finds a way to earn a place on the squad and often rewards his manager for putting him in the final 23.

Fernando Torres on being back with the Spain World Cup squad:

"“It’s very nice to be back with the national team. I’ve gone a year without being with La Roja, since the Confederations Cup. I knew that anything could happen. Yesterday, I was only hoping to hear my name. I knew that I could’ve been here or not, but now I have a better chance of being in Brazil.It’s been a difficult year but I finished the season very well. I’m grateful for the words of Vicente, who has valued my performances in the final phases. Now to fight during these days to be in the final list for Brazil.”"

Torres also spoke about his competition at the striker position through the years:

"“This list is for the game against Bolivia. We need to take advantage this week, enjoy it and hopefully we can be in the final list. It is a big step to be here but in football, until things are done and dusted, anything can happen. There’s always been a lot of competition here since the 2008 European Championships: [Fernando] Morientes, Raul, [David] Villa, Soldado, Negredo, now Costa…The level is very high, but we’re not rivals, we’re team-mates and whoever is chosen to play has the support of everyone.”"

The Chelsea striker is more than likely a long shot to make the final squad but Del Bosque may have a soft spot for him after Torres has done so much for him. Torres is not the phenomenal striker that he once was with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool but when he puts on the Spanish kit, he is a little closer to being the “El Nino” of old than the Torres of today.

Follow us on Twitter at @PrideOLondon

Like us on Facebook at The Pride of London