Benitez: Torres and Ba will have to fight it out for Chelsea starting spot

Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez is relishing the selection dilemma he faces with club record signing Fernando Torres and recent arrival Demba Ba set to battle it out for a starting berth up top.

Ba netted twice on his debut as the Blues ran out 5-1 winners in an FA Cup clash with Southampton on Saturday, underlining his status as a potential threat to the 50 million pound Spaniard's place.

Ahead of his side's Capital One Cup meeting with Swansea, Benitez has refused to be drawn on who will lead the line.

“It is good for me because before I didn’t have to think about which striker to choose," he told reporters. "I prefer to be in a position where I can choose one or the other. It’s important to have options, especially if you have two games in four days. We have different options.

“I have an idea who will start. It depends on how they feel and perform. There’s no rule about one playing in this game and the other in the next. I’ve spoken to Fernando a lot and with Demba and they know what I am expecting of them. We have now two good players, two good options, and both will compete. I can see everything positive in terms of the team now. Talking with Demba and Fernando, they both know they have to compete and play well. It can bring the best out of both of them.”