Andre Villas-Boas has said that he still has belief in Fernando Torres, but admitted that the striker is "taking his time" when it comes to scoring goals.
Torres signed for Chelsea from Liverpool this time last year for a record fee of £50m.
The Spaniard has two games left to impress the manager before Didier Drogba returns from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
"The two players are competing for the striking position and we all know the significance of Didier to this team and his record," Villas-Boas said.
"We will have to see how tired he is when he comes back to us but no one can doubt his ambition to win trophies for us this season.
"With Torres, the situation does not change. We still believe in the player but he is taking his time."
Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League, 12 points off leaders Manchester City.