Romeu backs Torres to shine for Spain

Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu believes club colleague Fernando Torres can still be a vital player for Spain at the European Championship.

Former Liverpool hitman Torres joined Chelsea in January last year for a record fee between English sides of 50 million British pounds, but has scored just 11 goals in 48 appearances at club level this season.

Nonetheless, Romeu, a Spanish Under-21 international, feels Torres’ experience and work rate could prove vital for the reigning world champions in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

“I think that Torres will be a very important player for the national team at the Euros because he is a player with great quality and experience and these characteristics are very important in a forward,” said Romeu, speaking to Marca.

“He is very important for Chelsea too. You only have to look at how the fans love him and chant his name, whilst he is also loved amongst the players and directors at the club.”

Last week, the 28-year-old spoke about his excitement at playing for Spain again, having been left out in February for the friendly with Venezuela.

Romeu believes the omission provoked a reaction from the striker.

“It is true that when you lose something you realise how important it is and this is what happened with Fernando in the national team,” added Romeu.

“When Del Bosque (Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque) left him out he did so to give him a warning and he took it well, naturally he continued to work until the end of the season and now he is there with a great chance of having a good European Championship.”

Romeu, 20, is expected to be a part of Luis Milla’s Spain under-23 side for the Olympic Games, which start at the end of July – alongside the likes of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, Athletic Bilbao’s Iker Muniain and Atletico Madrid striker Adrian.