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I think it’s fair to say that ever since Fernando Torres joined Chelsea, the press have had him in their sights. Just like AVB said at the time he was Chelsea manager, the press has turned Torres into “an obsession!”, and it still seems to be the case.
The season, for Torres, has only finished a week ago; winning Euro 2012 with Spain, scoring in the final, and winning the golden boot but it just doesn’t seem to be good enough.
Torres is due to return late for Chelsea, as they reach America for part of their pre-season tour, due to having an extended break. But, as always, even when the bloke is taking a break from football, the press are after him!
I am referring to comments made by Roberto Di Matteo the other day, in his first press conference of the new season. As usual, the press have twisted what he has said to try and turn things on Torres to destabilise the situation here.
Regarding Torres’ role in the coming season, the press asked Robbie about comments made by Torres in a SKY interview after the game:
..and the fact that he obviously looked unhappy at not being named as one of our five penalty takers.
Robbie said: “I did speak to Torres after the final, I had a chat with him the morning after and we have been in touch since as well.
“It was a feeling he had at the time. There are no concerns about Fernando at all, and I am expecting him here in a good mood, buzzing and to be very good next season.
“I was very happy with Fernando [last season]. I said this many times and winning the Euro 2012 Golden Boot, being European champion and the trophies he won with us should give him a lot of confidence, but I was always very happy with him and I expect him, next season, to be a fantastic player for us.
“We have three strikers at the moment in the squad, and they will all have to fight, and there is competition which is very healthy. They will have to fight for their position and whoever is in the best form and is best for the team will play.”
Now let’s just get some things straight here. Why is it wrong for Torres to feel unhappy about being named on the bench for the final? He, like the others, wanted to start. But as he says in the video, the most important thing is the team no matter who plays.
Also, what is wrong with showing frustration about not being named as one of the five penalty takers? It shows character, for me, in being big enough to want to stand up and be counted.
I would like to ask the press if they saw Torres’ celebrations with the rest of the squad in the stadium, and on the parade here at Chelsea? Did he look like a player who was unhappy? If anything, Robbie has said that he took time out to speak with Torres after the game and the morning after to explain things.
So moving on to the new season now, and we all know that Torres wanted some reassurances from Chelsea now that Didier Drogba has left the club. He met with the club, and, by all accounts, heard exactly what he wanted to hear and went off to the Euros.
Torres is our number one striker without question now, and with Didier leaving, there is even more pressure on his shoulders to deliver but I think we will see Torres back to his best as he knows if he plays well, he will be starting nearly every game.
Once again though, the press have had a pop at him, with headlines over the last few days stating that Torres isn’t guaranteed a place in the team. If you read what Robbie actually said the other day, it’s pretty much standard.
Robbie confirmed that with having three strikers here at Chelsea in Torres, Sturridge and Lukaku, there is competition for places. Whoever is in the side needs to play well to remain in the team.
What’s wrong with saying that? If Sir Alex Ferguson thought Wayne Rooney was playing awful week in, week out or Arsene Wenger thought Robin Van Persie was, and even though (at the moment) they are both the number one striker at their clubs, do you think they wouldn’t drop them? It’s ridiculous, it really is!
If you check on most of these reports in the press, and then look at the official Chelsea website, with the interview from Robbie on Torres, you will notice that the press have missed out an important part at the end.
Robbie says “I expect him to be a fantastic player for us next season!”, it’s a shame that seems to be ignored, isn’t it?
I agree with Robbie 100% about Torres. I honestly believe that he has been held back and pretty much had a stop, start career at Chelsea while the legend that is Didier Drogba was here.
Now Drogba has moved on, it’s time for Torres to step up and he will, without question. I keep saying it about him but form is temporary, class is permanent, and in Fernando Torres that’s what we have.
A world class striker, finally free to fly, and with players coming into the club in addition to what we have here, to provide the service and chances he needs to thrive; we could see Fernando Torres have his best ever season in the Premier League!
Maybe then, the press will give the bloke some credit after all, and stop this ridiculous obsession with knocking him!
