Jose Mourinho says Chelsea fans deserve great credit for helping striker Fernando Torres rediscover his form and hunger.
The 29-year-old has impressed this season and scored his eighth goal of the campaign in the clinical 2-0 victory over Hull City on Saturday.
And Blues boss Mourinho is convinced the support Torres received when he was struggling helped him get back to his best.
“Chelsea fans are like this,” he said.
“I remember my time in 2004 when we had Mateja Kezman and he scored his first goal in December. Every time he was playing at Stamford Bridge people were supporting him.
“This is Chelsea fans’ nature, which helps players – especially in the difficult moments.
“They’re special fans at a special club and the players never feel the heat when things are not going well for them.”
Mourinho is also pleased with the contribution of Chelsea’s other strikers, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba.
“I think our strikers, without being the top scorers in the Premier League, are all giving us important things,” he said.
“They are working hard for the team. Samuel scored against Liverpool, Fernando against Southampton and now he scored again, so goals are coming a little bit more. But the way they work for the team is always there.”
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This post was last modified on 12/01/2014