After failing to make it into the starting 11 for the match against Newcastle United, the £ 50 million striker Fernando Torres is expected to be included in the starting line-up against the Europa league opponents Sparta Prague. The Chelsea into the manager Rafael Benitez has previously stated that the Europa league is an important competition for the team, and they will be looking to win this tournament for the first time. Chelsea could become the first club to win the Europa league followed by their Champions League success. They will also become the fifth team in the history of European football to have lifted all the trophies from UEFA.

The January signing Demba Ba did not play against Wigan during the weekend as a result of broken nose suffered while playing against his former club Newcastle United. He will be available for selection in the Europa league because he is cup tied. This means that Fernando Torres will be the only fit striker for Benitez to choose from his squad. However, Torres will not be in the starting line-up just because he is the fit striker according to Benitez, who has praised the way the 28-year-old Spaniard has been performing in training over the last few days.

“In the last two training sessions he was doing really well, good finishing, happy, sharp. It might have been easier for me to play Demba Ba, but with his problem (broken nose) I said as he is training well, I will give minutes to Fernando,” said the manager. Torres will be coming into the starting line-up with a lot of pressure on him to score. He has managed just one goal in his last 12 appearances. The solitary goal came against League One opposition in the form of Brentford in the FA Cup.