'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fernando Torres’s dismal performance on his 100th game against Swansea on 9th January was the first time we witnessed our fans jeer Torres, but it was a long time coming. If we look at Torres and compare his first 100 games for Chelsea with his first 100 games for Liverpool, it’s easy to see why we’ve been so frustrated with the player. It’s nearly 2 years since Torres swapped red for blue, when back then he was regarded as one of the most lethal strikers in European football.
Torres’ goal record in the Champions League seems to compare favourably, but that figure includes goals in thrashing of clubs like Nordsjaelland and Genk. Contrast this with his contribution to Liverpool’s Champions League cause, when he netted a brilliant winner against Inter Milan in the San Siro, scored a superb and vital goal against Arsenal in the 2008 quarter-finals, as well as goals that proved important against Porto, Marseille and Real Madrid.
What Torres has managed to do when he left Liverpool was to boost his trophy cabinet. For Liverpool, he failed to win a single medal, but here at Chelsea he’s won both Champions League and FA Cup successes. But how much did he contribute to these trophies? He was an unused substitute in the Wembley win against Liverpool and came on late in the Champions League final, only to receive a vote of no confidence when it came to the penalty shoot-out, with Didier Drogba the hero.
One of the main reasons we’re led to believe Benitez was brought to our club was to get the best out of Torres but after an initial goal rush, he continues to put in lethargic poor performances. But Torres never fired under Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas or Roberto Di Matteo so it hasn’t been for a lack of trying by the managers. It’s simply been his performances that haven’t been up to scratch and his goal-scoring record that hasn’t been forthcoming.
The amusing yet depressing fact is that Stoke striker Jonathan Walters has scored more goals for Chelsea in 20 minutes than Fernando Torres has managed all year, with his unfortunate 2 own goals in what coincidentally was Walter’s 100th game!
So where did it go wrong for Torres? Many of us Chelsea fans believe it was that infamous game against United when Torres was faced with a clear run on De Gea’s goal, took it round him and then faced with an open goal in front of the Stretford End, he sliced it wide.
But I don’t think it’s simply his lack of confidence being is downfall. I think as they say in football, his ‘legs have gone’, more than likely from a combination of injuries and age – the simple answer is that explosive pace he once had has gone.
This summer, it’s inevitable a parting of the ways will be a relief to our club and even more relief to Torres himself. It’s even possible he could go on loan to his old club Atletico Madrid. Rumours on the grapevine talk of selling Torres as part of a Falcao deal but whatever happens, a huge slice of that £50 million fee will be written off. Roman is going to have to get his cheque book out again!
Carefree & KTBFFH
