Torres: Time to step out of the shadows to become our main man

With news that Didier Drogba will be leaving Chelsea when his contract expires, it’s what Fernando Torres has been waiting for.

Let’s be honest here, Torres is one of a long list of strikers at Chelsea that have had to play second fiddle to the big man and, for the most part, rightly so.

As we all know, Torres expressed his unhappiness at being left out of the starting eleven for the Champions League final and stated that he wanted to speak to the club to find out where he would fit into their plans. I think it’s safe to say, Torres will be more than pleased with the answer. Torres is now finally, Chelsea’s main man.

It was interesting to read an article that revealed a message from Roman Abramovich to the Chelsea players in the dressing room shortly after we lifted the Champions League.

His message was clear.

“We’ve won it, But this is just the beginning.”

I also believe it’s the same for Fernando Torres and his Chelsea career.

Think about it, Didier Drogba came to this club eight years ago and the Chelsea team was built around him. Chelsea’s formation changed to a 4-3-3 that allowed Drogba to lead the line and he has done it brilliantly ever since. Backed up by a strong core of players through the spine of the side, it’s been that spine that has forced Chelsea to play a certain way. Now Didier is gone, it’s time for a new Chelsea playing a different style of football that will suit Fernando Torres more than anyone.

Like the others before him, Fernando Torres knew coming here that Drogba was our main man and maybe that has played a part in his troubles up till now. Drogba spoke yesterday about Torres and said the two of them have a good relationship and he believes Chelsea “are in good hands with Fernando”, which is a nice touch.

I guess in a way we have always wondered if the two of them got on together. It was plain to see at the Nou Camp and again during the celebrations in Munich just how well they do.

However, the news of Drogba will have given Torres a new lease of life and he will be looking forward to next season more than anyone.

No one can ever question the abilities of Torres, the work rate, the desire and the fact that he is top drawer. We have only seen glimpses of it so far and for a number of reasons.

But, as I sit here writing this now, although we will never ever be able to replace Didier Drogba because of what he gave to us and his own attributes, now it’s time for Fernando Torres to step out of the shadows and become Chelsea’s main man, Chelsea’s number one.

Given the right level of support and service from the Chelsea players, I have no doubt that we will see Torres back to his best and hopefully even better than that next season.

KTBFFH!