World Cup 2014 News: Chelsea Striker Fernando Torres Hopes To Land Roster Spot With Spanish National Team

While helping Chelsea claim the 2013-2014 Barclays Premier League crown remains his immediate goal, Blues striker Fernando Torres is still fixated on solidifying a place at the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. A member of the Spanish National team, Torres was noticeably absent from Spain’s recent 1-0 friendly victory over Italy and while his position with the squad remains up in the air, the 30-year-old striker is still optimistic that national team boss Vicente del Bosque will bring him aboard for what the Spanish Nationals hope becomes a memorable run at the summer games.

Though Manchester City star Alvaro Negredo and Atletico Madrid scorer Diego Costa seem to have passed Torres on the roster, the former Liverpool standout holds firm belief that he’ll be there in the end because the World Cup is a unique tournament where each participant needs to have the best possible talent in order to consistently compete. In order to solidify his role, Torres believes helping first place Chelsea end the Premier League season as champions while also contributing on all ends of the field should be enough to grant him a position with del Bosque’s squad.

“The World Cup is not just any tournament,” Torres said. “Those who go must be the best prepared and that's why you have a coach who picks the squad. I will work, which is the only thing I know how to do, and the final part of the season is very important. We are up there in the league, through to the next round of the Champions League and it could be a great end to the season. The more important matches you play and the more things you are fighting for the greater the demands and that is when I have performed best. The World Cup is just around the corner and those who are in the best form will be the ones to go.”

In 106 career appearances for the Spanish National side, Fernando Torres has notched 35 goals while establishing himself as a strong international scorer. Though he’s only been able to record 4 goals and 4 assists in 14 league starts this season, Torres believes in his ability to finish strong in order to earn a place with the team he helped claim the 2010 World Cup title.