Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is finding himself isolated inside the Blues locker room.

The Daily Star Sunday says Torres is a total ­outcast at Chelsea - with many of his team-mates sick and tired of the 'special treatment' the £50million flop receives from Roman Abramovich.

Long before Roberto Di Matteo was ruthlessly sacked last week - seemingly for dropping the Spanish striker against Juventus - Blues players were fuming over the favouritism shown to the club's record buy by its Russian owner.

Senior Stamford Bridge stars reckon that Torres is one of the reasons for the dismissal of popular coach Di Matteo six months after the Italian led the club to Champions League and FA Cup glory.

But if that was not bad enough, they also believe new boss Rafa Benitez - appointed on Wednesday against the supporters' wishes - is only in the job because of his past work with Torres at Liverpool.

A source close to the Chelsea camp says: "There's been a split in the dressing room over Torres for several months.

"Many of the club's established players cannot accept that Torres is Roman's prince and seems to get special treatment even when underperforming every game.

"Rafa coming in would appear to prove all of those suspicions correct.

"It is quite clear he is there to help Torres rediscover his form."