New Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that Fernando Torres is working hard in a bid to return to form.

Benitez is under pressure to help Torres recapture the goalscoring form which made him a formidable striker during his time at Liverpool.

The Blues boss believes that Torres has looked determined to succeed at Stamford Bridge during his early training sessions with the team.

He told The Mirror: "Fernando is trying his best, like the others. He was fine. He knows what I want and he is trying to do this.

"At Liverpool, the pace of Steven Gerrard's passes was very good and Fernando could take advantage. People think that Fernando needs space and he did have that at the beginning at Liverpool. I didn't create everything for Fernando, it's just what happened.

"We need to put Fernando in a position to score goals. It's easier to do that from short passes by Oscar or Juan Mata. With Fernando, here, I have seen a player with commitment, with ideas to improve. I know him, he knows me and what we're looking for."

Benitez takes charge of his first game as Chelsea manager this weekend when reigning Premier League champions Manchester City visit West London.