Fernando Torres: No he is not back !

One step forward and two steps back has been the theme for Fernando Torres at Chelsea. Scintillating performance followed by a phase of utter hopelessness. The Stamford Bridge hopeful however have kept faith in him, maybe for too long. But has the time finally come ?

Fernando Torres

Nando himself would agree he is still not the player he was at Liverpool. But there is a feeling among many that this time he is surely back. Maybe because this time the right buttons have been pushed by by the right people. Maybe it is mourinho after all.

In the match against City he was again in all probability a failure. Blazing over the goal when scoring seemed easier. In his past that would have led to him retreating into his shell and wait to be substituted. Not this time, he levelled up and made up for it 3 minutes later by putting it on a plate for Schurrle. He left Clichy for dead with his pace and flashes of Torres of the past were apparent. He then produced what could have been the goal of the season for Chelsea only to be denied by the woodwork.

With one of the most intensely fought games moving into injury time the teams were more and more willing to accept a draw. And then it happened, a moment of instinct, belief and anticipation when he chased down a hopeful ball and unsettle the last defender and his goal keeper leading to the former heading the ball past Hart. Torres simply wasn’t willing to let go and gleefully accepted. Stamford Bridge erupted sending Mou into the stands and the fans into a frenzy and the chants began again “he is back”.

This resurgence in Torres is not only his reward but also for Chelsea’s faithful who have stuck by him during his darkest hour when it was easier to give up. Exemplary attitude, sheer hard work and simply refusing to accept himself as a failure at the Bridge has forced Mou to have him in his plans.

Those who remember Torres at his very best will take pleasure of his revival but will secretly know he can never be that man once again. No, he is not back. He can never be that Liverpool striker who terrorised defences. But his revival will be more than welcomed for it hurts to see anyone fall so low after arguably being one of the world’s very best.