Chelsea striker Fernando Torres concedes 2011 was a tough, old year for him personally.

The Blues striker was speaking in the club's match programme ahead of his influential performance for victory over Sunderland.

Torres appears to have drawn a line under his nightmare 2011 as he begins 2012 knowing Didier Drogba's absence at the African Nations Cup would give him the run in the side he needs.

"It seems like a lot longer than one year since I arrived here," he said.

"It's been a very hard year, with lots of change at the club and in both my personal and professional life, but I have felt welcome here from the beginning and I feel even more settled now.

"The reception from everyone at the club, including the fans, has been unbelievable."