Fernando Torres will put a tough season behind him and become an important figure for Spain at Euro 2012, Pepe Reina says.
Torres has been lacking consistent form since leaving Liverpool to join Chelsea in January 2011, scoring just seven times in 46 appearances.
But Spain’s reserve goalkeeper Reina thinks that the striker is set to play a prominent role in the European Championship.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen him like this,” Reina told BBC Sport. “Physically, he is in good shape.
“Mentally he feels he is an important player in the national team, all the more so since (David) Villa pulled out, and he relishes that role.
“He feels comfortable and he looks switched on. Hopefully, he will have a good European Championship and Spain will feed off his goals.”
Torres found some form towards the latter stages of the season, including coming off the bench to score in Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona.
Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque also believes the striker is in good shape.
“He seems less closed, with a positive attitude and the pleasure you get from coming to play for the national team,” Del Bosque, who dropped Torres for a friendly against Venezuela in February, said.
“He has spirit and is in a very positive mood.”
