Juan Mata praises mentally-strong Fernando Torres

Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has said that Fernando Torres's mental strength has been the key to the Spaniard's recent good form.

Torres netted the winning goal in last Sunday's 2-1 win against Manchester City, and the former Liverpool striker has five goals this season.

Mata feels that the way Torres handled his barren spells in front of goal since signing for £50m in January 2011 has been important to his recent resurgence.

"He has a very strong, focused mind, always clear about his way forward," Mata told the The Mirror.

"He deserves it. He's trained very hard, very professionally and now he is scoring it has brought the confidence back.

"I know him very well, know that he went through some hard moments at this club. I was always very close to him because I believed in him. He believed in himself, too."

Despite Torres's good form, the Blues were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United this afternoon.