Bent: Torres still No. 1 in England
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Bent: Torres still No. 1 in England
GettyImagesFernando Torres has struggled for goalscoring form in 2011...England forward Darren Bent believes Fernando Torres remains "the best striker in the Premier League when fit", despite the Spain marksman netting just six goals since January.
Torres, 27, became English football's most expensive player when he moved to Chelsea from Liverpool in a £50 million deal but he has struggled to replicate the form that made him one of the world's most feared strikers during his time at Anfield.
The former Atletico Madrid frontman has scored just four goals for the Blues so far this season and has been lambasted for a number of high-profile misses, including a gilt-edged chance that went begging against Blackburn last weekend.
But Bent, who has enjoyed significantly more success since his own January move - claiming 17 goals in 31 games for Aston Villa and England - feels Torres is still the cream of the Premier League crop.
"Torres is the best striker in the Premier League when fit, he's that good," Bent said. "I've followed him from Atletico Madrid right through to Chelsea.
"Even though he missed a chance at Blackburn, he's still the best. He's quick, powerful, has a good touch, can shoot with either foot and use his head."