Chelsea management have major concerns over the form of Fernando Torres. The Sunday Mirror says privately the concerns over the striker's form are increasing inside Chelsea.
Senior figures at the club are bemused that he scored just one goal in 18 games last season, following a record breaking £50million move from Liverpool in January.
Observers claim Torres body language remains the same. In six pre-season games the Spanish striker has found the net just once against Aston Villa in the final of the Premier League Asia Trophy.
There have been suggestions that some of his Chelsea team-mates are not helping and have little sympathy for him.
After all he's the club's record signing and is the highest paid player at Stamford Bridge.
"Players aren't going deliberately out of their way to ensure he fails," said the Chelsea source. "There is a great deal of sympathy for him. But his lack of form has not gone unnoticed at the highest level. Naturally people are very concerned. But there is no quick fix. His lack of confidence is obvious to see.
"Strikers thrive on confidence in front of goal and when you go a long time without scoring it starts to mess with your head."
