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Villas-Boas satisfied with profligate Torres

SoccerNews in English Premier League 21 Jan 2012

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Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said he was happy with Fernando Torres’ contribution in their 0-0 draw with Norwich City on Saturday.

The 50-million-pound striker shot wide from close range, failing to score for the 11th Premier League game in a row, as the Blues squandered the clear majority of possession at Carrow Road and missed a chance to gain on their rivals.

But his boss was keen to underline Torres’ contribution, telling reporters: “He tried really hard.”

“He collided with an excellent save from Ruddy in the first half. His movements, again, were sharp and inventive, trying hard to get these goals that he wants, but he had a major impact, also, in our offensive game and we’re happy with his play.”

The Spaniard was subjected to near-constant mockery from the loud Norwich support, but Villas-Boas reminded fans of his well-received showing against Sunderland last time out, a game Chelsea won 1-0, arguing that Torres is made a scapegoat for the rest of the team.

“I think it was just persistent jeering this week but we can’t be hypocrites and not take into account what he did in the last game against Sunderland where everybody praised him,” the Portuguese boss added.

“He’s doing excellent things for the team – it doesn’t matter who scores the goals.”

“In terms of efficiency, he couldn’t find the back of the net, but we are not looking just for that, we are looking for him to produce for the team, and the team have had a good amount of chances to win the game (today) – the difference was that we didn’t score from any of them.”

“We created the most opportunities to win the game.”

Midfielder Frank Lampard, meanwhile, was taken off in the first half with a calf injury, and Villas-Boas confirmed the severity of the problem.

“The doctors tell me it’s something very serious, it’s obviously a muscle tear,” he revealed.

“We’ll have to find the extent of the injury. Only through the MRI can we know how much time he’s going to be out.”

Norwich boss Paul Lambert heaped praise on goalkeeper John Ruddy, after he kept a clean sheet against Blues.

“He has been talked about for England and I think rightly so. I thought he was outstanding,” Lambert told Sky Sports.

Lambert said the result against the powerful club was a sign of Norwich’s progression in recent times.

“We were up against a team that is really first class. We were really resilient and I thought we deserved to get something out of it,” he added.

“Where we have come from two years ago and we’re competing against that.”

“If we can keep doing what we are doing we will be OK.”

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  • AU

    0 0

    AVB, this puts your intergrity at stake. Yes, you did not buy this guy but he is putting you project on hold. Your employers have to know this and have them remove this albatross from your shoulders. You need participants, not passengers. A year is more than enough. Move him; TODAY.

  • AU

    0 0

    AVB, this puts your intergrity at stake. Yes, you did not buy this guy but he is putting you project on hold. Your employers have to know this and have them remove this albatross from your shoulders. You need participants, not passengers. A year is more than enough. Move him; TODAY.

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