Ivanovic: Unfair to blame Torres for Chelsea failure

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic insists the team’s results cannot be blamed solely on misfiring striker Fernando Torres.

The Blues’ latest setback, Saturday’s 1-0 loss to West Brom, saw Roman Abramovich finally lose patience with manager Andre Villas-Boas and sack the former Porto boss the next day.

Torres, meanwhile, has also taken flak for Chelsea’s form, scoring just twice in 22 Premier League appearances this season, and attracting criticism for failing to live up to his 50-million-pound fee.

However, Ivanovic believes that the whole team should share the blame and is adamant the striker should not be made a scapegoat.

“Football is a team sport and this season all of us at Chelsea have been very bad,” Ivanovic told Sportske.

“We are all guilty because we have all performed below our level. We are all to blame, not just one player.”

“Torres is always in the front row for critics. He plays in attack and should be scoring goals, everybody knows that, but we have played many games without him and lost anyway.”

“It is not fair to make him a scapegoat.”

Despite the Spaniard’s luckless campaign, Ivanovic has backed Torres to regain his form and fire the Blues to glory.

“I believe it is only a matter of time before he will explode again,” ivanovic said. “He needs to break down the psychological barrier.”

“He is under so much pressure because everybody is after him, the papers and the fans, but he has our support.”

“He is not scoring goals but he is a good team player and provides a lot of assists. That is why I am sure that he will start scoring again sooner rather than later.”