Chelsea hero Lebouef: Drogba must be sold to rescue Torres

Chelsea hero Franck Leboeuf feels they need to sell Didier Drogba.

Leboeuf believes Fernando Torres can only shine once he's out of Drogba's massive shadow.

He told the Sunday Mirror: “Torres has been No.1 striker ­wherever he has played. ­Suddenly he comes to Chelsea where Drogba is king and holds a massive ­influence. With him lurking in the background, and knowing Chelsea normally play one striker, it might be affecting Torres mentally.

“The Chelsea fans will ­always love Drogba, and he is still clearly a very efficient striker, but you have to think about the future as he is ­almost 34. He has two good years left. Perhaps he, and a few others, need some new challenges. And if that ­happens, being the main man at Chelsea is just what Torres could need to finally prove he’s still got it.

“Torres will come good in time. But it’s the end of the road for many of his team-mates. I’ve seen the likes of Nicolas Anelka have left and Alex will follow — and they shouldn’t be the only ones.

“Players like John Terry and Frank Lampard should stay as they are the symbol and heartbeat of the club.

“But you need to freshen up ideas. The club is at the end of the cycle for some.”