Norwich vs Chelsea preview - Torres is still `terrific' - Lambert - 7M sport

Norwich vs Chelsea preview - Torres is still `terrific' - Lambert



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Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by PA

Norwich vs Chelsea preview - Torres is still `terrific' - Lambert

Norwich manager Paul Lambert has backed Fernando Torres to come good despite the Chelsea striker's goal famine.

Lambert also believes the Spaniard's poor form has nothing to do with the #50m price tag around his neck.

City take on Chelsea at Carrow Road on Saturday with on-form striker Grant Holt, bought for #400,000, having scored eight Premier League goals this season and Torres having scored two.

It is a stark comparison but Lambert insists Torres is not daunted by his transfer fee.

Lambert said: "Would I like to have Torres? Yeah, course I would. I wouldn't bother about his price tag.

"I know the lad's not scored for a while but he is still a top player, a brilliant footballer, a terrific striker. I don't think it's anything to do with a price tag hanging over his head.

"As long as they have got the hunger to go out and do it, it shouldn't matter how much they cost. Football is about lifting trophies. You want to win things.

"But if you are talking value for money Grant has been phenomenal for this club for #400,000. People look at #400,000 and think it's nothing, but to some clubs it's a hell of a lot of money."

No-one could ever accuse Holt, a former tyre fitter, of lacking hunger. The 30-year-old made his debut for Norwich in a 7-1 defeat against Colchester United in League One at Carrow Road two-and-a-half years ago.

He is now one of the main reasons why Norwich have confounded the experts and lie ninth in the Premier League, nine points above the relegation zone.

For Holt, the Chelsea game brings another challenge when he is likely to come up against England central defenders John Terry and new signing Gary Cahill.

It is unlikely to faze Holt, the epitome of the pragmatic attitude Lambert has instilled in his team.

"You want to test yourself against the best," said Holt. "It will be a good battle."

Holt is reluctant to be drawn into comparisons with Torres and, as a man who makes his living from scoring goals, he has a natural affinity with the misfiring Chelsea striker.

Holt, who has played for 10 clubs, said: "He's under a lot of pressure. He's gone for a big price tag and it's not nice when you're not scoring goals.

"Last week he hit an unbelievable volley which goes off the underside of the bar. He needs a cross to miss everyone, hit him on the back and go in the bottom corner. If he gets that it would be as big an achievement as if he hit one from 40 yards."

New Chelsea defender Cahill accepts his form this season has been patchy but insists his best years are to come.

Cahill's protracted £7million transfer to Stamford Bridge was completed on Monday and the 26-year-old has been included in the squad for the trip to Norwich.

The England centre-back admits he struggled in a Bolton team locked in a battle against relegation but has taken comfort from his international performances.

"My form this season has been bit of a rollercoaster but overall I've been pleased with the way I've been playing," he said.

"For England I've been really pleased, whereas for Bolton it started dodgily before coming into my own over the last couple of months.

"By joining Chelsea from Bolton I'm jumping from one scale to another scale and hopefully having fantastic players around me will make my job easier."

Cahill, who was linked with Tottenham and Arsenal last summer, revealed he took little convincing to join Chelsea and is excited by the prospect of playing in a team that demands silverware.

"This is a fantastic career move for me," said Cahill, who is reported to have signed a five-and-a-half year contract. "You always strive to be at the top of the game and coming to Chelsea has given me that opportunity

"The manager didn't really need to sell the club to me, Chelsea being Chelsea. Every competition they enter they look to win.

"To progress I needed to be at a club where there are such fantastic players who are older and more experienced than me. I can really learn from them.

"I'm over the moon to be here and now I want to show people what I'm all about.

"I've signed a long contract and I feel my best years are ahead of me. I've come here to win trophies and titles and that's exciting."



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