Diego Simeone has made it clear that he is not expecting Fernando Torres to have an immediate impact upon his return to Atletico Madrid.
The 30-year old striker will join the Spanish club on loan from Chelsea following his short spell with Serie A side AC Milan which will end on January 5 when the Italian transfer window opens.
Torres was a star for Atletico in his early days between 2001 and 2007 before Liverpool signed him but Simeone does not imagine he will be back to his very best as he will have to adjust to Los Rojiblancos' system.
"I'm very happy because, with his return, we have recovered a sense of what it means to belong to this club but, more than that, we are continuing to improve as Fernando's characteristics can help the team," said Simeone regarding the impending arrival of Torres.
"It's an important signing at a nice time for him because he is joining a side which is already fully functioning and which has been playing together for some time.
"We hope that he can give us a hand with his excitement, talent and passion. Having said that, he will have to compete with [Antoine] Griezmann, [Mario] Mandzukic and Raul Jimenez to win his place in the side."
The Atletico boss added: "In football, just like in politics or religion, you will always have differences of opinion. People are within their rights to hold an opinion or debate.
"Fernando hasn't come here as some kind of saviour and I am in no hurry for him to start delivering right from day one - he will need time to adapt. Like I say, his arrival will be beneficial for everyone.
"We wanted him to come to us last season. His arrival will be a huge benefit to all of us. Fernando will give us extra depth in attack which is something we've been lacking with Mandzukic."
