Mourinho challenges Torres, refuses to rule out move for new striker
Jose Mourinho insists Fernando Torres has a future at Chelsea but the Blues boss wants more from the much-maligned striker.
Torres, a British record £50m purchase from Liverpool in January 2011, was overlooked for a striker-less starting side for Wednesday's loss at Paris Saint-Germain as Mourinho appeared to lose patience with the Spaniard.
The 30-year-old, who signed a five-and-a-half-year deal on his deadline day arrival from Anfield, has scored 44 goals in 164 appearances for the Blues, including nine in 33 games this term.
"Does he have a future? Yes, he has," said Mourinho.
"He is under contract, he's a good professional. He works hard for the team, he brings positive things to the team.
"Obviously, we want him to score more goals. Obviously, he wants to score more goals. It's not just me that wants.
"People that give everything they have you never can blame and you never can complain. When he's on the pitch he tries to do his best. Obviously we want more.
"He's the first one that wants more, but he's the kind of player I respect, he deserves to be respected and there's nothing more you can say about it."
Unlike Mourinho's first spell at the club, Chelsea are endeavoring to comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations to live within their means.
Yet it is possible they will recruit the striker Mourinho covets this summer - with Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa among those linked.
January sales of Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne allowed Mourinho to sign Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah, but one large outlay can be anticipated this close season.
Asked if the Blues can spend £50m on one player, Mourinho said: "I think Chelsea can do that.
"I think Chelsea can't do that with four or five players and bring in the investment for £200m or £250m, but Chelsea can do that with one player.
"That is the work Chelsea is doing and I think that's possible for Chelsea, yes."
Meanwhile, Mourinho would not be drawn on reports linking striker Romelu Lukaku with a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.
"I don't think it's the time to speak about it," he said. "He is a Chelsea player, but at the same time he is also an Everton player till the end of the season and we want to respect that.
"That loan is working well for the three. Working well for Everton, working well for Lukaku and working well for Chelsea."
