Ray Wilkins: Chelsea need to keep faith with misfiring Fernando Torres

Former Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins has urged his old club to persist with Fernando Torres despite the striker enduring a goalless streak stretching back to October.

Torres has seen his position as the focal point of the Blues’ frontline come under increased pressure following the return of Didier Drogba from the Africa Cup of Nations and talk of switching Daniel Sturridge, from out wide, to the centre.

However, Wilkins believes Andre Villas-Boas needs to keep working with the former Atletico Madrid and Liverpool forward in order to boost the player’s confidence.

“You can never give up on any player, no matter how good or bad they are,” Wilkins told talkSPORT. “You must always try and work to get the best out of anyone.

“He’s currently in a period where he’s not scored for 20 games and it’s the longest I’ve seen a world class player not score for, but you shouldn’t give up on Fernando.

“He’s had chances but he’s not been confident enough to take them. You can’t give up on people though, you have to keep working.”

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