Chelsea probe Torres ´old and slow´ claims

Chelsea will investigate comments from striker Fernando Torres allegedly describing his team-mates as “old and slow”.

The centre-forward was interviewed for the official website of the Spanish Primera Liga last week, and an English translation appeared on Torres’ personal website, in which the former Liverpool man described Chelsea’s “older” players as “very slow”.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed the west London club will look into the matter in greater detail.

“We are going in-depth to regain the tape of that interview,” Villas-Boas said. “We’ll see if things play exactly as they are in that interview.”

When asked what action would be taken if Torres was deemed to have made the critical remarks, Villas-Boas said: “We’d just talk. Just talk. To share opinion. If it was unauthorised, I’d fine him. Of course.”

“Anyhow, it’s one player’s perspective. I don’t think it’s a perspective that the manager shares.”

“I don’t have to share my players’ ideas sometimes. I think we have competence, apart from the ‘age problem’, which for me is not a problem.”

“Maybe we just have to speak about that situation and he has to see our view as well.”

Torres joined Chelsea from Liverpool for a record British transfer fee of 50 million pounds in January 2010, but has failed to find the net with any regularity since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

The 27-year-old was left out of the team for Chelsea’s 2-1 victory away to Sunderland in the English Premier League on Saturday.