Ex-Blues Defender: Chelsea Striker Scaring Opposing Defenders

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has rediscovered the fear factor which made among the most daunting forwards in world football, according to ex-Blues defender Michael Duberry.

Torres capped one of his finest displays since moving from Liverpool in January 2011 against Manchester City with a 90<sup>th minute winner at Stamford Bridge to continue the Spaniard's upturn in form.

The 29 year old's first Premier League goal of the season comes at a time where Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is toying with his forward options, with Samuel Eto'o having failed to settle and Demba Ba out of favour, but Duberry says Torres' revival should make him first choice in west London.

"I've not been unfair to him but I'm one that says you have to earn your stripes," he talkSPORT. "He came with a huge price tag, not that that matters, but you have to work hard.

"At the moment his work rate seems to be the thing that is going for him as well. Before I thought he didn't really work hard enough, he lost the ball. But now he's chasing down everything, he's being a nuisance, he looks powerful.

"I thought, as a defender, good centre-forwards have a fear factor. You don't want to play against them; I thought that went a little bit. I didn't think defenders used to fear Torres like before. There is a sense now of a bit of fear from defenders playing against Torres, which is going to help him."

"Torres is the best striker [at Chelsea] when he's in that sort of form," he added. "I think there is a hunger and a desire there which for all to see. Before maybe some of it was complacency, but now with a few more goals like that with confidence rising it could be a consistent thing we could be seeing."

Torres has scored just four times this season for Chelsea with goals coming in the Super Cup final against Bayern Munich, the League Cup win over Swindon Town and the Champions League success at Schalke in mid-week.

The ex-Atletico Madrid forward is expected to be rested for the League Cup trip to Arsenal with either Ba, who almost joined Arsenal on loan in the summer, or Eto'o likely to be entrusted with leading the line.