The Spaniard is benefiting from the faith of Andre Villas Boas, determined to reconfigure this Chelsea team around him, rather than Didier Drogba. And he is most of all profiting from what is a subtle but fundamental tactical shift.
Chelsea under Villas Boas have changed their style; now the play goes through the centre of the pitch primarily, with Raul Mereiles used as a springboard for attacks, receiving the ball when it is won back and knocking it forward for the likes of Torres, Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge. With Ramires making forward runs beyond the strikers along with Mereiles (when the Portuguese is not in defensive midfield) or Frank Lampard, Chelsea are getting plenty of men forward whilst focusing on building through the middle. In the final third they are playing the ball far quicker, with more purpose and intent.
This suits Torres perfectly. He is best with the ball played in front of him, rather than with his back to goal. Too often under Carlo Ancelotti he was relying on scraps and crosses aimed in his direction. Now he is given the ball in space, and the Spaniard is excellent at exploiting space.
This is the new Chelsea; more entertaining, constructive and considered with their build up play. Villas Boas is crafting an almost entirely new team, but he has the likes of Lampard and John Terry still in the team, as well as Ashley Cole. In the years to come these players will be replaced, and with that Chelsea will change even more into a creative attacking unit based on possession football.
Villas Boas is getting his team to do the fundamental thing that Rinus Michels and Louis van Gaal did in the past; when in possession, look to move the ball as fast as possible to the man in the most space who can cause the most danger. That means fast passing, quick movement and intelligent forward running.
It is no surprise therefore that Torres is now benefiting so much from the Chelsea revolution. This is a new Chelsea designed to get the best out of him. It is a Chelsea that may actually entertain, what Roman Abramovich has wanted them to do for so long. And with some of his best years still ahead of him, Torres could profit for many years to come from the new lease of life he has been given at Stamford Bridge.
