Friday 17 October 2014 14:26, UK
AC Milan striker Fernando Torres insisted he had to leave Chelsea, and believes he made the right choice in choosing the Italian giants.
The 30-year-old hitman found himself further down the pecking order after the summer arrival of Diego Costa at Stamford Bridge, and sought pastures new as a result.
The Spaniard has been working under former Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi since completing a two-year loan move and is already feeling more confident after a disastrous spell in south London.
"I had decided to leave Chelsea," Torres told Corriere dello Sport.
"With Mourinho there was a relationship of respect, but the club had bought a new striker.
“With the Coach I had spoken often about my future, he wanted me to stay in London. But I needed a new stimulus for my career.
“That day I received a phone call from Milan. I was presented with the offer I had been waiting for. I was at a particular moment in my career.
I needed a change and I was aiming to find a team that would guarantee me a starting spot.
“I needed a change and I was aiming to find a team that would guarantee me a starting spot. I had other opportunities, but I chose Milan because they proved that they really wanted me.
“But no Champions League? The club is experiencing a situation that they are not used to. For me, it was a greater incentive to help Milan return to where they deserve to be.”
Before Torres arrived on English soil, the then-Atletico Madrid youngster was linked with a move to The Rossoneri back in 2001/02 – a move which may have tempted him had an offer been made.
“It was a different era and Atletico had no intention of selling me," Torres added.
“ It would have been nice to play in the Milan side that beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League Final, or in the side of Shevchenko.
“This is another team - now they will fight to return to Europe.”
