The 28-year-old admits he has had a difficult year at Stamford Bridge but is now aware that he will play a key role at the Champions League winners with Didier Drogba set to exit

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has insisted that he is happy at Stamford Bridge and is already looking forward to next season.

DROGBA LEAVES LEGACY IN TORRES' HANDS

// The Ivorian has backed Torres to shine at Chelsea next season



Torres was reportedly unhappy in west London following a tough season which culminated in him being left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League final.But the Spaniard confirmed he has held discussions with the club's hierarchy and is now excited for the challenge ahead next term.

"My goal was to talk to them at the end of the season," Torres told his official website. "I needed to know what plans they had for me.

"We've talked and now I have no doubt what they expect of Fernando Torres. I just want to start already next season."

With Didier Drogba set to leave Chelsea in the summer, Torres will be expected to step into the Ivorian's shoes and the former Liverpool man spoke of his pride at having played with him.

"Didier [Drogba] is a club legend and what he has decided is respectable," he added. "I can only wish him the best and I feel proud to have shared so much with him.

"I want to play with the best and he is one of the best. I do not understand why it has to be one or the other and not both."

Torres again affirmed his happiness at Stamford Bridge and insisted he will be determined to succeed following a "roller-coaster" campaign that saw him go 24 hours without scoring a competitive goal.

"At Chelsea I am very happy and I never said the opposite," the striker added. "I still have a lot to do in this club, meet personal goals, confidence to return.

"It has been a difficult year, I didn't play much and my mind was like a roller coaster.

"I felt bad, very bad and I would not like to feel that way again. But I have never surrendered and I never will."