‘Fernando Torres is the best striker in the world & he will score a lot of goals’ – Yossi Benayoun backs Chelsea team-mate

Benayoun was speaking after Chelsea’s convincing 4-0 victory over Hong Kong side Kitchee in the Asia Trophy, where they will now face Aston Villa in the final.

The Spaniard came on when the Blues were 3-0 up and drilled a low shot from outside the box which cannoned off the post.

Torres has not scored in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia but this does not bother midfielder Benayoun.

“I know him well. Everyone has full confidence in him. For me, not because he’s my friend, but because he’s the best striker in the world,” Benayoun told Sky Sports.

“Last season he had a hard time – he came in January, it was difficult for him to adapt because of the way Chelsea play.

“I’m sure this season he will score a lot of goals. He looks sharp. He needs a little bit of luck – like today he hit the post – but he will score. When the most important games start, I’m sure he will be the top scorer.”

Benayoun won a penalty for Chelsea just before half-time to put Andre Villas-Boas’ men in front, and an own goal shortly after the break secured the victory, but the Israeli felt the performance and fitness was more important than the result itself.

“I think from the first moments we played better. We tried to press the whole 90 minutes,” Benayoun added.

“We created a lot of chances and we knew when the first goal came it would be easier. We scored the second very quickly after half-time and the game was finished from there.

“I cut in to the left and he kicked my other leg, it was definitely a penalty.

“The main thing is not the goals it’s the way we play and to get to fitness.

“Each goal is very nice for himself and it was important to play good and not push ourselves for 90 minutes because soon the league will start and we need to be ready. The goals don’t matter but of course it will give some players confidence.”

And Daniel Sturridge will have taken confidence from his performance as he scored the fourth with a nice piece of skill which had the defence tackling thin-air before firing a shot low to the near post.

Benayoun believes that the England under-21 international has a lot of potential and, on the back of his excellent form for Bolton last season, can do well for Chelsea this year.

“He’s a great player, still young, he can prove himself a lot and I think he passed two or three players there and he’s a great finisher,“ he said.

“He proved this last season at Bolton and hopefully he will prove it this season here.”