Torres 'deserves everything he gets' - Mata

 

The striker netted his 19th goal of the season against the Russian side on Thursday and the Blues' playmaker was delighted to see him among the goals

Chelsea star Juan Mata has expressed his delight at seeing team-mate Fernando Torres net for the Blues in their Europa League win over Rubin Kazan on Thursday.

Torres' effort was his 19th strike of the season in all competitions and his compatriot was delighted too see the former Liverpool rewarded for a fine shift up front.

Mata told Chelseafc.com “As a striker, he always wants to score. I’m very happy and glad for him because he works so hard and deserves everything he gets.” 

Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Rubin represented the European Champions’ third fixture in five days and the Spain international shared the blueprint Rafa Benitez had given the squad ahead of the Europa League quarter-final first leg win.

“We had to try to push, from the first minute to the end,” Mata said.

“We were playing in front of our own supporters and we knew that would be a strength for us and that we had to use it.”

Mata admitted the prizes on offer serve as motivation to play through the pain barrier, with the 24-year-old endeavouring to achieve all that he can with the Londoners this season.

He stated: “We are playing [sometimes] every two days, too many games in a week, [but] my aim is to win trophies and play Champions League next season. Both are important.”

“We have a good squad and Rafa is trying to rest some players in different games.”