Torres ready for action.

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has said that he is fully rested following a layoff over the international break.

The Spaniard was left out of Vicente del Bosque's squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France as he continues to struggle in front of goal.



Despite being disappointment at his exclusion, Torres stated that he is ready to get back to business as the Blues take on Southampton at St Mary's this afternoon.



"It was relaxing, but everyone wants to be involved with the national team and not have this time available," Torres told the club's official website.



"It was a good break and I enjoyed it with my family and had some rest, and now I'm ready for the next challenge."



The 29-year-old has scored just seven goals in 28 Premier League appearances this season.

Atletico Madrid opens door to Torres

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has seemingly opened the door for a possible return of Fernando Torres.

Torres has endured a torrid stay at Stamford Bridge since joining from Liverpool in January 2011 for £50million.

In 74 league games he has scored just 14 times, which is a shadow of his Liverpool form where he hit 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances.

The 29-year-old began his career with Atletico Madrid and is still revered by their fans, and now Simeone has refused to rule out a possible return.

"Fernando Torres is currently playing for another team. We have to wait for the season to finish and decide which of the available players could come here and do a good job," Simeone told Onda Cero.

"Fernando knows about the club's history, what it means to play here and I don't need to speak about his ability.

"We were team-mates. I know how important he can be."

Simeone admits he does not know if a deal could be struck, adding: "It's complicated. I wouldn't like to say yes or no. He's a player who always performs and we have to respect his choice."

With Chelsea being strongly linked with Atletico's Radamel Falcao - a player-swap plus cash deal has long been mooted.

Simeone was also quizzed about the future of the Colombian, and said: "I'm not Falcao and I'm not his agent. I'm the manager and have the utmost respect for him, because he gave me so much at River Plate and has done the same here.



"He always gives his all and I really respect players who do that. But everyone makes their own decisions in life. Every person is different, and we have to respect each other. Those who stay are always going to be the best."

Torres left out of Spain squad

Fernando Torres has been left out of the Spain squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France.

The 28-year-old Chelsea striker was omitted from recent friendlies against Panama and Uruguay but has made the squad for earlier World Cup qualifiers.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said: "Especially for strikers, inconsistency worries us and Fernando's inconsistency provoked a sense of insecurity in us."

Torres has scored 31 goals in 101 appearances for his country.

Golden Boot winner as top-scorer in Spain's victorious Euro 2012 campaign last summer, he has 17 goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season.



But he has not found the net in the Premier League in 2013 and scored only his third goal in 20 games as Chelsea beat Steaua Bucharest in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday.



Spain squad to play Finland and France:



Goalkeepers: Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Jose Reina (Liverpool), David de Gea (Man Utd)

Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Jordi Alba (Barcelona)



Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Javi Garcia (Man City), Isco (Malaga)



Forwards : David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Man City), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Jesus Navas (Sevilla).

Torres to the rescue in day of shocks

Rafael Benitez's side held by Brentford, Fernando Torres's late goal kept Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Rafael Benitez’s side are only in the draw for the fifth round thanks to a late equaliser from Fernando Torres away to Brentford. The League One side opened the scoring at Griffin Park, where Chelsea play in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, through Marcello Trotta, but Oscar equalised in the second half.



Brentford regained the lead from Harry Forrester’s penalty but, with seven minutes remaining, Torres’s curled effort earned a replay at Stamford Bridge at a date yet to be announced. Should they beat Brentford Chelsea will travel to Middlesbrough in the fifth round.



Ross Turnbull played in the Chelsea goal after Petr Cech was withdrawn with an injury. Benitez did not specify who would be in goal to face Reading on Wednesday in the Barclays Premier League.

Brentford 2 Chelsea 2 (High quality highlights)

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