Fernando mind over Di Matteo

Posted Tuesday, March 13, 2012 by The Sun

Fernando mind over Di Matteo
HANDS UP IF YOU CAN'T SCORE ... Fernando Torres is in a rut

ROBERTO DI MATTEO admits Fernando Torres has a 'psychological problem'.

Chelsea's £50million flop has scored just five goals in 13 months since his record transfer from Liverpool.

Torres was dropped for Saturday's 1-0 win over Stoke and is now just 23 minutes shy of notching 24 hours on the pitch without scoring.

Blues caretaker boss Di Matteo said: "He has a psychological problem and only Fernando can unlock it.

"If he needs me, I am always here but it is obvious the change must come from him.

"He must not think about how much he cost the club.

"He must concentrate only on playing and not about scoring, or providing an assist or making a great play every time he touches the ball.

"He should not think about scoring goals, only about playing simple football.

"The rest will take care of itself.

"My approach with Fernando will always be a natural one.

"Fernando is still a great striker and I am sure he has not forgotten how to score goals.

"He is one of the strongest forwards in the world.

"He has scored so many goals in recent years and I'm sure he will continue to do so in the future. He will succeed because he is still young.

"He just needs to regain his confidence."

Torres, 27, will be put to the test again tomorrow night when Chelsea need to beat Napoli at least 2-0 to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match.

Di Matteo has taken the misfiring striker to one side to talk him out of his rut and help save Chelsea's season.

Former Blues midfielder Di Matteo has called on all his players to rediscover their once-famous hunger for victory at all costs which was ingrained under ex-manager Jose Mourinho.

Coach Di Matteo was told to step in and take charge until the end of the season after previous manager Andre Villas-Boas was sacked nine days ago.

He said: "We need to rediscover the passion, the love of the game, the eyes of the tiger, you know.

"After Andre left the club, I immediately talked to the players, just trying to speak to them individually and get them on board.

"I told them to play with more passion because if a player does not enjoy playing, if he no longer believes in himself and his team-mates, then it's over.

"When you play under stress, fearful of making mistakes, you do not enjoy and the passion is gone. Only with hard work can we get out of this difficult moment in the Champions League against Napoli."