'Chelsea have one of the best strikers in Europe': Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres heaps praise on Spanish compatriot Alvaro Morata ahead of Champions League clash

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Former Chelsea striker Fernando Torres claims he offered Blues' new boy Alvaro Morata advice before joining Antonio Conte's team during the summer, but believes his fellow Spaniard doesn't need it.

It's to be a case of out with the old, in with the new as Chelsea travel to Spain for their Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, as Chelsea are quickly reacquainted with Morata's predecessor Diego Costa after his controversial departure from Stamford Bridge.

But despite Costa's absence from Wednesday's tie, having been signed outside of the transfer window, his presence will no doubt be felt in the stands of the Wanda Metropolitano.

Alvaro Morata prepares for his Champions League debut for Chelsea against Atletico Madrid

Morata, 24, has made a flying start to life in the Premier League netting a hat trick on Saturday

Conte though, will not be phased by the atmosphere surrounding the affair, with his new star Morata getting off to a fine start at Stamford Bridge, scoring six in his first six - including a first Premier League hat trick at Stoke on Saturday.

And Torres, who scored four Premier League hat tricks in his time at Chelsea and Liverpool, is well accustomed to the intense pressure Chelsea forwards come under after being on the blunt end of many criticisms during his spell at Stamford Bridge.

But the Spaniard, with 85 Premier League goals to his name - admittedly the majority of them for Liverpool - claims Chelsea have secured the services of one of the best strikers in Europe. 

And will face former Blues' striker Fernando Torres who has heaped praise on Morata

'I spoke with (Morata) before he joined Chelsea (for £70m) and told him I would be always on the phone if he needed any advice or if I could help him,' Torres has said according to The Mirror. 'Looking at the start he has made it doesn't look like he needs any advice at all - already he is playing well and scoring goals.

Morata scored 20 goals in 43 appearances for Real Madrid last season and although he is still only 24, Morata has already won more Champions Leagues titles than his current employers - two at Real Madrid - which will bode well for Conte's Blues.

Torres often found himself at the brunt of Chelsea criticisms and has offered his fellow Spaniard his advice since Morata joined Stamford Bridge but feels he doesn't need any

Chelsea's 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag sees them top group C, while Atletico were held to a draw by Roma. Visit Sportsmail's Match Zone for all relevant Champions League info.

'I'm going to the team managed by the coach who has placed the most faith in me, and that's great for me,' explained Morata after his record move to the Bridge. And faith is just what Conte has shown in the striker, who is coming up trumps for the Italian manager.

'Chelsea have one of the best strikers in Europe - and I am sure he is going to win trophies with them,' Torres added. 'The Chelsea games will not be easy - there is a reason they are Champions of England.'

'They will be one of the teams that believe they are capable of winning the competition this season.'

But while Morata has got off to a flying start to life in the Premier League, he is yet to appear in the Champions League after being left as an unused substitute during Chelsea's 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag earlier in September but is in line for his first start in Europe for the Blues after finding his feet domestically.

The 24-year-old couldn't have found his feet any sooner for Conte either, as he prepares Wednesday's red-hot fixture. 

Diego Costa is also expected to be in attendance after his controversial return to Atletico