Angry fans will fall in love with Torres again, insists Rafa after blaming striker's poor Swansea performance on illness





Rafael Benitez hit back at the Chelsea critics who call for his head and now curse the £50million problem player he was supposed to fix.



Fernando Torres had been immune from the toxic atmosphere engulfing the interim manager since he took over, but a listless display against Swansea in midweek saw the corrosive taunts directed towards the striker, too.



Fans are threatening to boycott Stamford Bridge until the senior Spaniard is gone, claiming the club has lost its soul, while the 28-year-old striker has seen his support from the stands plummet. But Benitez told those disgruntled followers: ‘You will love him again.’



Eye on the ball: Torres, training on Friday, was forced to take tablets after suffering from a stomach bug

Poor display: Torres was replaced by new signing Demba Ba (below) after drawing a blank against Swansea

The Chelsea boss revealed there was a reason behind £50m Torres’ below-par performance, not to mention sulky demeanour — he was carrying a stomach bug picked up seven days earlier which required medication.



‘He was playing with this problem,’ said Benitez. ‘You have a professional trying to do his best in this situation for the team. I was really pleased with the attitude of Fernando.



‘We had to manage the situation. It was explained to me as a bug, a virus. He had a problem for a week or more. The other day he was sick on the bench. That’s why I didn’t play him at Southampton. I was there when he was with the doctor, needing tablets. He had some treatment.



‘When he starts scoring again the fans will appreciate this. The fans loved Torres when he was scoring and giving everything. They will love him again when he starts scoring goals.’



‘As a top-level player you have to accept you can be criticised. He is a very good professional. He had the problem but he was still training and playing.’



All together now: Chelsea players put on a show of unity during training on Friday, while Ba (below) could start against Stoke

What of that somewhat dismissive body language?

‘In England if a player makes a mistake, what do you expect?’ continued Benitez. ‘Bad body language is normal. If he is not sick he will be smiling. You can’t change things in a minute if not fully fit.’



Benitez denied Torres received preferential treatment because of the large outlay on him and hinted that Torres and Ba could be partnered up front in future.



The former Liverpool boss has become practised at deflecting questions which ask how he can be a success when those in the stands so vehemently voice their disapproval.



According to him, it is all about winning. Earning points and progressing in competitions turns the jeers to cheers.



‘I would prefer them to support the manager and the players,’ he said. ‘But that’s the way it is. If we continue winning it will be easier and players will be under less pressure. Then we’ll be fine.



Time's up: The Spaniard was hauled off in the second half after failing to impress for the Stamford Bridge side

‘When the team does well fans enjoy it. It is harder when you lose at home. Against QPR, everybody expected us to win. The defeat changed the mood.

‘The way we lost to Swansea, especially conceding at the end, I can understand people are more emotional. The reality is that we are improving.

‘If we start games playing well and scoring it will be easier for us. When you are expected to win every game at home the fans push and players want to win.’

A journey to Stoke — a type of team Benitez said does not exist in Spain — would not usually be welcome in such a predicament. But a breather from the claustrophobic atmosphere of the Bridge could alleviate some pressure.



Indeed, while Chelsea have failed to score in four of six home matches under Benitez, they have won their last five away, scoring 16 goals.



Welcome back: The Chelsea captain is expected to be on the bench for the game against Stoke on Saturday

The manager put on a brave face yesterday and there was time for a gag about 5ft 7in Juan Mata running through the legs of Stoke’s Peter Crouch — who is a foot taller.

Part of Benitez’s good mood was no doubt due to the return from injury of John Terry and Petr Cech.



The Chelsea captain came through 45 minutes of a midweek Under-21 match unscathed and is in today’s squad — even though he will not start — after eight weeks out with knee ligament damage.



Cech is likelier to feature after recovering from a groin strain picked up in the victory at Everton at the end of December.



‘John can’t start yet but he’s available,’ said Benitez. ‘It is good news for us. It is always important to have your captain and someone who has character.’



More than ever, Benitez is finding his own character tested.



