Yossi Benayoun has said that he has "100% confidence" in goal-shy Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard has failed to live up to his £50m price tag since joining from Liverpool, netting just 13 Premier League goals in two years at Stamford Bridge.

Some have questioned his long-term future with the Blues, but Benayoun, who played with Torres during his golden period at Anfield, believes that he is still one of the world's best strikers.

"You can understand it is not easy, from being the top striker at Liverpool," The Telegraph quotes Benayoun as saying. "He was unbelievable, you gave him the ball and you knew he would score. But he had a bad time in the beginning at Chelsea. When he came in, he was on the bench, then on the pitch.

"He did not get the confidence when he came in. And with the £50 m above his head, it is not easy for any player.

"I believe in him 100%. For me, he is still one of the best strikers in the world. You do not change so quick from being the best player, one of the best in the world, to a player that some people say is not good enough for Chelsea."

Chelsea loaned Benayoun to West Ham United last summer.