London: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted that misfiring striker Fernando Torres will not leave the club in January or the summer.
The £50 million forward, signed from Liverpool nearly 12 months ago, has scored just five goals in his time at Stamford Bridge and has been left on the bench in recent matches, with recent reports suggesting the club would be prepared to let him go in the winter transfer window at a considerable loss.
But Villas-Boas was adamant when he told reporters: “Fernando Torres is not for sale at any price, now or in the summer.”
The Spain star has only started 11 games for Villas-Boas’ side so far this season but is likely to be called into action again in January when first-choice striker Didier Drogba departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The young manager also backed midfielder Frank Lampard after speculation that the England man could be on his way out of the club.
The 33-year-old England man, who is only eight months younger than Villas-Boas, started the team’s last two matches on the bench but came on to score the winner from the penalty spot in Monday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Manchester City.
“Frank Lampard is a player of massive magnitude to this club,” the Portuguese declared.
Villas-Boas was speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to take on 18th-placed Wigan at the DW Stadium.
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