Torres: Chelsea title contenders
Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2012 by ESPN
Fernando Torres has insisted Chelsea will challenge for the Barclays Premier League title this season.
Despite securing both Champions League and FA Cup glory in May, the Blues finished a massive 25 points behind Premier League champions Manchester City.
But Torres, who arrived in the United States to link up with his touring club-mates for the first time since Spain's European Championship triumph, was adamant he could add another prize to his new-found trophy haul.
The striker told his personal website, www.fernando9torres.com: "I would love to win a Premier League.
"Hopefully it will happen this year, but for sure we will be challenging for it."
Torres, who finished another difficult season on a real high last term, added: "In my opinion, the equality between the big English teams is at a peak.
"You just have to look at the way City sealed the title, at the last gasp, and how the team that won the Champions League finished sixth."
Chelsea have the chance to lay down a challenge to City when the sides meet in the Community Shield on August 12.
Torres said: "That's how the (Community Shield) will be, a battle from start to finish between two teams who are obliged to fight for everything this season in England and in Europe."
Torres' confidence in Chelsea's credentials has been bolstered by the summer signings of Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, as well as the impending arrival of Brazil star Oscar.
The president of the 20-year-old's current club, Internacional, has confirmed a potential move is at a "very advanced" stage amid reports it will be sealed on Friday.
Giovanni Luigi told Brazilian website www.terra.com.br: "The situation is very advanced, but not finalised yet.
"Oscar has to get his work permit. He needs to have a certain amount of caps to play in England, but I don't believe that will be a problem."
Oscar will play in the UK at the Olympics, which begin this week, and says he has already undergone a medical at Chelsea.
Reports suggest the Blues will pay a £25million fee for him, some of which will go to the player's former club, Sao Paulo.
Luigi added: "I have also reached an agreement with Sao Paulo over their part. It's Chelsea that will pay that, not Internacional."
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