Jose Mourinho Insists Fernando Torres Still Has a Future at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has denied reports Tottenham Hotspur have made an approach for Romelu Lukaku but insists Fernando Torres still has a future at the club.

The Belgian international, who is currently on a season-long loan at Everton, has been linked with a permanent move to the Toffees with his future at Stamford Bridge looking bleak as Mourinho plans an overhaul of his striking options this summer.

Lukaku's agent confirmed on Thursday he had begun looking for a new club for the striker and revealed he had been in contact with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

But when asked if Chelsea had received any offers for the 20-year-old Mourinho was reluctant to be drawn on his future.

"No," Mourinho told reporters when asked if there had been any approaches. "I don't think it is the time to speak about it. He is a Chelsea player, but at the same time he is also an Everton player until the end of the season and we want to respect that.

"And Everton is being a good club for a loan, our player is there and our player is playing and developing and this is what you expect when send some players on loan.

"This doesn't happen with every club or with every player. And with Lukaku that loan is working well for Everton and Chelsea."

Following his side's 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint Germain in their Champions League quarter final clash, Mourinho aimed criticism at his striking options that have offered just 25 goals between them this season. Fernando Torres replaced Andre Schurrle in the second half but was largely ineffective in another performance that will further undermine his future at the club.

But although he has made no secret of his desire to sign another established striker, Mourinho insisted Torres still has a role to play at Stamford Bridge.

"Yes, he has a future," Mourinho said. "If you want to improve, obviously. I think everybody wants to improve and Chelsea want to improve.

"But does he have a future, yes he has. He has a contract, he is a good professional, he works hard for the team. Obviously we want him to score more goals. Obviously he wants to score more goals. But yes he has a future."