Torres Had To Leave Chelsea  (Sky Sports)

AC Milan striker Fernando Torres insisted he had to leave Chelsea, and believes he made the right choice in choosing the Italian giants.

The 30-year-old hitman found himself further down the pecking order after the summer arrival of Diego Costa at Stamford Bridge, and sought pastures new as a result.

The Spaniard has been working under former Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi since completing a two-year loan move and is already feeling more confident after a disastrous spell in south London.

"I had decided to leave Chelsea," Torres told Corriere dello Sport.

"With Mourinho there was a relationship of respect, but the club had bought a new striker.

“With the Coach I had spoken often about my future, he wanted me to stay in London. But I needed a new stimulus for my career.

“That day I received a phone call from Milan. I was presented with the offer I had been waiting for. I was at a particular moment in my career.

“I needed a change and I was aiming to find a team that would guarantee me a starting spot. I had other opportunities, but I chose Milan because they proved that they really wanted me.

“But no Champions League? The club is experiencing a situation that they are not used to. For me, it was a greater incentive to help Milan return to where they deserve to be.”

Before Torres arrived on English soil, the then-Atletico Madrid youngster was linked with a move to The Rossoneri back in 2001/02 – a move which may have tempted him had an offer been made.

“It was a different era and Atletico had no intention of selling me," Torres added.

“ It would have been nice to play in the Milan side that beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League Final, or in the side of Shevchenko.

“This is another team - now they will fight to return to Europe.”