Mourinho’s actions and comments signal Fernando Torres’ exit

Fernando Torres – On borrowed time

Fernando Torres appears to be on borrowed time at Chelsea after the latest comments and actions of manager Jose Mourinho. The Spaniard, who was brought to Stamford Bridge for a club record £50 million, has never really reproduced his Liverpool days. Last season, though, there appeared to be signs that he was coming back to his former glory days. At 29 years of age, it seems too early to write him off, but Mourinho appears to have done just that.

After returning to Chelsea, Mourinho said that Torres’ performances were average. Yet, there was belief that he would give Torres a chance in the coming season especially with Torres being a pet signing of Roman Abramovich.

“Torres so far is so-so. Somebody could expect more because of his potential, because of what he did before. But not so bad as people sometimes try to say.” – Mourinho in June 2013.

It indeed appeared the case the first match of the season against Hull City. Yet, he was not even on the bench against Aston Villa and he was dropped in favour of winger Andre Schurrle against Manchester United. Mourinho has even gone on to say that Torres was not worth £50 million.

“[He] is not really £50million, maybe [he] is 20 and a half.” – Mourinho

Chelsea already have three strikers in the squad, but Mourinho elected to use none them against Manchester United. It seems like more of a message to the owner than tactics. Mourinho is indirectly stating that none of his strikers are not good enough and that he would like to have Rooney.

“He scored the goal that won the Europa League. That means some millions. He scored the goal against Everton that put Chelsea in the Champions League. That also means some millions,” continued Mourinho.

Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who played alongside Torres, also has a thing or two to say about the Torres’ future at Chelsea: “We all know he wants Rooney, that’s obvious. He’s basically saying that his strikers aren’t good enough; that’s what he’s telling the world out there.

“You could say it’s probably the end at Chelsea [for Torres]. I didn’t think he was going to have too great a time under Mourinho.”

It now appears that Rooney may not be moving to Chelsea after all. This could leave Chelsea looking at short-term options like Samuel Eto’o.