Villas-Boas wants strikers to step up in Torres' absence

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has challenged his strikers to stake their claim for a regular place in his team while Fernando Torres serves his three-match ban.Spain international Torres scored his second goal in as many matches, but was also sent off as Chelsea beat Swansea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.The red card triggers a suspension that covers the Blues matches against Bolton, Everton and QPR and Villas-Boas wants Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and Daniel Sturridge to seize their opportunity.We have four wonderful strikers and all of them are playing well. All of them compete for a place in this 4-3-3 system, Villas-Boas said.Im not sure how many games Fernando is away for but it will open up opportunities for the other three to challenge for the position.After a miserable run of form, Torres has been under pressure to justify the £50 million British record transfer fee that Chelsea paid Liverpool in January.Until now he has been devoid of confidence and, more importantly, goals.He scored against Manchester United but was also guilty of missing an open goal.If that grated with the striker, then worse was to come against Swansea as his 29th-minute goal was subsequently overshadowed by his red card 10 minutes later.Torres was being well-marshalled by Swansea captain Garry Monk until he found some space to put Chelsea in front with a neat shot on the turn past Michel Vorm.