Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that Fernando Torres needed to leave the club after the Spaniard joined AC Milan for the next two seasons.

The 30-year-old’s three-and-a-half year spell at Stamford Bridge will be viewed as a flop although the former Atletico Madrid striker did manage to win the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.

But Torres ultimately failed to live up to his £50million price tag after making the switch from Liverpool to Chelsea in January, 2011, with his form evaporating once he had left Anfield.

Chelsea added Diego Costa and Loic Remy to their squad during the summer transfer window while fans’ favourite Didier Drogba is also back in the fold after two years away from English football.

Torres would have struggled for game time this season and Mourinho admits he needed a fresh challenge which he will now get in Italy’s Serie A.

Speaking at a UEFA coaching seminar in Nyon, Mourinho said: “I’m an Interista and I would have preferred if he’d gone to Inter.

“However, I hope that he does equally well at Milan. What I can say about Fernando is that as a person and a professional, there is nothing to doubt about him.

“He’s a fantastic boy and a great professional. However, he needed a change of scenery.”

Mourinho is now into his second season in charge of Chelsea in his second spell at the club.

The Blues are currently priced at 1.75 to win the Premier League this term, having won their first three matches of the season.