Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Chelsea's mini-revival did not come to an end because of the introduction of £50m signing Fernando Torres from Liverpool. The champions appeared to have put their worst run in the league for almost 15 years behind them at the start of 2011, winning three games in a row to climb back into Champions League contention.
But the capture of Torres has coincided with a winless - and scoreless - two matches that has seen them slip out of the Champions League placings.
But Ancelotti was adamant, saying: "It is not the fault of Fernando, obviously.
"I think that he needs to have time.
"In my opinion, he played well for 60 minutes against Fulham. He had two or three opportunities.
"He didn't score but he will score, obviously."
But with only 12 league games remaining for Chelsea to overhaul Tottenham or Manchester City time is not on the Spaniards side.
"He needs to have time, but playing, to improve his combination with the other players," Ancelotti said.
"It will take time playing with us.
