Mata: Torres ´deserves to triumph´

Juan Mata has backed Chelsea and Spain team-mate Fernando Torres, insisting the striker “deserves to triumph” at Stamford Bridge.

The former Valencia man’s arrival at the club in July has proved to be successful in a season which the Blues have struggled on the pitch, much in contrast to the out-of-form Torres, who has continually battled since his record-breaking 50-million-pound transfer to the club last year.

Despite the ex-Liverpool forward’s troubles in west London, Mata has hailed the 27-year-old for helping him to adapt to life in England, and is hoping he will be a part of Vicente del Bosque’s squad for Euro 2012.

“I am happy every time Fernando (Torres) plays. He is a person who helped me a lot when I arrived and he is still helping me. He deserves to triumph,” Mata told Marca.

“(Whether Torres goes to Euro 2012) is not my decision, but from a selfish point of view I would take all the forwards possible. Obviously we can’t, but there is a high level and we can choose (from some great players).”

The 23-year-old has admitted he is surprised by how well he has settled into life in the Premier League, scoring five goals in 24 appearances for the club.

“Even I have been surprised at how quickly I have adapted, but that is largely because I have been playing. When you get playing time it’s easier,” he said.

“The saddest thing (at Chelsea) has been the defeats. What I experienced against Valencia was a double sensation, because I would have liked another team to have gone out.”

“It seems as if teams like Chelsea are expected to pass the first round comfortably, but it’s not that easy. Now we have Napoli, a difficult team but one I like a lot. Let’s see what happens.”

(City and United) are two teams that are going really well in the Premier, but despite our ups and downs, we are still in Europe. We are even in the fight for the league, and I don’t know what will happen. For now we have won our first game in 2012.”

Mata singled out the pace of the game, refereeing and fixture congestion as the main differences he has noticed since making the switch from La Liga.

“Sometimes games get difficult and the play is less attractive, but in Spain that happened as well,” he said.

“I am pleased with my playing rhythm. You run more and the games are more end-to-end (than in Spain).”

“In the Premier League there is more respect for the referees. Their way of officiating is different. There are fouls that aren’t given, but for me they are fouls.”

“(Playing at Christmas) is a different feeling and it’s strange, but playing football is never bad news for me.”