Fernando Torres: The Golden Boot and art of missing

KIEV, UKRAINE – JULY 01: Fernando Torres of Spain celebrates scoring his side

When Fernando Torres pushed through his move to Chelsea from Liverpool, very few imagined him to have such a torrid time at Stamford Bridge. Until now.

There seems to be a sense of great positivity and optimism among the Blues fans about El Nino, that his Chelsea career would finally turn a corner this season. In spite of the stick received from rivals, the Stamford Bridge faithful have stuck by their striker who seems to be going through a very lean patch, which seems to be endless if you ask me. With the departure of Didier Drogba, a legend in these parts of London, the onus has now shifted onto the Euro Golden Boot winner to lead Chelsea’s Premiership charge next season. For the Spaniard, who has been vocally complaintive about the treatment meted out to him by the club, this would be exactly what he had been wishing for.

The newspapers and the online media have been buzzing with stories recently on Torres and his exploits in front of goal in “Polkraine”. The 28 year old came on as a substitute in the final and scored past Gigi Buffon to win himself the Golden Boot, much to the delight of the striker and his countless fans across the globe. Still regarded as one of the deadliest strikers in the world, on his day he can get behind the meanest of defenses and score past the safest of goalkeepers. But the bigger question remains, is it too little too soon to think Torres is back to his best?

The above table gives us a detailed view of Fernando’s performance at his former clubs and Chelsea. The figures do not do much to enhance or even uphold his reputation as a world class striker. While at Atletico, Torres managed to hit the target once in every two shots and scored one in every five shots that he attempted. However, that impressive percentage spiraled down ever since his move to England and has reached depressing lows at Chelsea. In his last season at Anfield, Torres had a Shot/Goal ratio of 0.101 which effectively means a goal every ten shots attempted. If you thought that was poor, the player who set new records in British transfer when he sealed a £50m move to the Blues has an abysmal Shot/Goal ratio of 0.046 for them. The target percentage of 0.176 translates to a goal every sixth shot on target and 20^th attempt overall.

Fernando Torres isn’t the typical finisher that you have in football. Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Filippo Inzaghi, Ronaldo or Raul excelled in finishing off opportunities provided to them by their midfield. Torres likes to have the ball played in the air and loves running the channels, dragging the center halves along with him. With an in-form Steven Gerrard playing just behind him, Torres perhaps formed the most formidable of striking partnerships in England in recent years at Liverpool. While at Chelsea, he has been severely criticized for taking up poor positions and found himself often crowded out by opponents. He has looked a different player altogether when an adventurous and imaginative Juan Mata played behind him. He has been assigned a different role at Chelsea, one to just score goals. Torres isn’t one whom you should ask to sit in the box and wait for chances to turn up. He is best when you let him express himself, drift wide and drag center defenders along with him only to leave the corridor open for midfielders barging forward. He is not the average goal scorer; he is modern day’s Spaniard- much more than just goals.

There is already a positive energy among fans about a rejuvenated Torres. It is indeed harsh to disrupt their party but I, for one, do not feel he is back to his best. Why would Vicente Del Bosque opt for Alvaro Negredo ahead of him if he were in his best form? The answers are obvious. As he strides onto the Stamford Bridge outfield tucking his hair, he would have to do the anti-Torres once again. Hover around the goal and sneak one whenever he is gifted with a chance. Or maybe, Di Matteo would finally let him free and once again unleash the wrath of ‘El Nino’.