Chelsea Transfer News: Fernando Torres Happy to Lead By Example; Believes Winning Trophies is More Important than Individual Honors

Nov 15, 2012 04:56 AM EST

Two of Chelsea's ever-present players this season have been Fernando Torres and Juan Mata, and add Orio Romeu and the increasingly improving Cesar Azplicueta to the list, the European Champions' list of Spanish players look primed for success.

The English Premier League, in recent seasons, has seen some of the best Spanish players make their way to play in England, with the likes of David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Mata and Torres lighting up the league on many occasions.

Torres was one of the earliest to make the grade in England, during his time at Liverpool, and the Spaniard admitted in his own way he tries his best to help the Spanish contingent settle to life in England. "I am not the father figure," Torres told the club's official website. "You have all the things you learned in your head that you can use for the good of the team, and that's what I do here, but I don't like to be a leader, maybe an example as someone to follow if you like.

"We are all young still, and friends. I have been playing with Juan in the national team since the Confederations Cup in 2009, and since then we have been friends. I was so happy when he came here, and we have helped Oriol and now Azpi to settle.

"There are also some staff, I think there are seven of us in total in the dressing room, so it makes it easier for the new guys to have people here helping them.

"There is no leader who has to talk for the others. Helping each other is a job we should do, it's not a job Juan has to thank me for.

"I remember when I first came to Liverpool, Pepe Reina helped with everything and he made it easy for me. When I was Atletico Madrid captain I tried to help everyone. These are the basics in football, you need to create an atmosphere and try to create a group of friends. It's not easy and it doesn't always happen but you have to try.

"It's not easy to come somewhere new and have to find your place. You might feel someone doesn't like you or you might need to find new friends, it's not easy and I don't like this kind of thing. It's not easy, so you want to protect the players who are alone."

Torres was part of the all-conquering Spanish team that went on to defend their European Championship title, with the Chelsea striker winning the Golden Boot award as the tournament's top scorer. However, despite winning the individual award, Torres believes achieving success as a team is much more important.

"Football is a team sport and not an individual sport," he added. "We win as a team and every individual is better if we are part of the team. If we win trophies we have the chance to win individual awards because it comes with the team targets.

"If we win the Champions League, everyone is a better, more recognised player, but if you win an individual award and nothing with your team, it means nothing. You have to win with the team, and for the team."

In the Chelsea dressing room, Torres has his locker right next to his Spanish international teammate Mata, but while the Spanish playmaker might be a vision on the field, his off-field tidiness leaves a lot to be desired.

"Juan, yes, I just want to move my locker," Torres added with a smile. "It's not so bad because I want him next to me, but I have to be on top of him all the time because it's a mess. It's a mess.

"I don't know if I can describe it. There are magazines, letters, pictures, clothes, creams, everything, he cannot open the door. If he did it would make a bigger mess."

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