Breaking News: Fernando Torres Sucks
Since departing Anfield at the end of the January transfer window, Fernando Torres has been talking more about Liverpool Football Club than some of the current players seem to. Torres has spoken of turmoil at the club, his desire to win trophies and play in the Champions League.
Fair enough, this is a player that scored the winning goal for Spain at Euro 2008 and was part of the World Cup winning squad in South Africa. Part of the squad meaning his poor form and nagging injuries kept him from being a contributor. In 2008 Torres was a player in the ascent. Possibly the best striker in the world at the
time, he bagged 33 goals in all competitions and made 46 appearances. That return proved the money Liverpool spent was well worth it. Some considered it a steal and the Anfield faithful were in love.
Happy days indeed. The following season his appearances dropped to 38 and his goal tally to 17. In 2009-2010 his appearances again declined to 32 while his goals trended upwards - 22 in total - but still well off that magical 2007-2008 run of form. You know where I am going with this. 2010-2011 the injuries limited Torres to 26 appearances and 9 goals for Liverpool. This was a player some felt was priceless at one point and now was highly injury prone, clearly not enjoying his football and regularly the focus of leaked reports that a move was imminent.
Where am I going with this? You still have ask?
Torres was sulking on the pitch during the early part of this season with Liverpool (and some would say he is doing the same at Stamford Bridge). He was blatantly using the ownership situation at Anfield to cover up his poor form. Torres knows he is no longer the player from 2008. We've seen this happen to young players before. Brazilians seem most prone to flaming out by their late 20s as the matches pile up, the travel for domestic league takes its toll, Champions League matches and international appearances wears on them and next thing you know they are an afterthought. A "could have been amongst the best" type of story.
Wayne Rooney has been dealing with these accusations throughout the season but I think it is more obvious with Torres. He is not just out of form but looks like he does not want to be playing football. He got the move he supposedly desired most - to Chelsea Football Club where he will have the owner's finances to buy any support he needs, Champions League football and the global city to showcase his skill.
He is off the pace whenever he plays. Has been that way for some time. Torres is probably still nowhere near 100% fit but even if he were the attitude he displays proves Liverpool were right in selling when they did. Bringing in a hungry Luis Suarez and the emerging Andy Carroll to replace a pissy Spaniard for a small cost to them was brilliant business. Let Chelsea figure out what is wrong with Torres. Let "role models" like Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka lead him back to his '08 form.
And there he was on the bench against FC Copenhagen midweek being "rested" for Chelsea's fixture against Manchester City this weekend. The striker made an appearance in the 68th minute, plodded around the pitch for the remainder of the match and once again failed to score. Should he bag a goal against City this weekend it does not mean he has turned a corner and regained form.
Should he come up with a massive goal against Manchester United in the Champions League quarter finals it would go some way to restoring his confidence. Perhaps even his reputation. But I don't see that happening. Torres may be too far gone to re-emerge as one of the world's best. David Villa has eclipsed him by a country mile as the best Spanish striker of this generation.
Torres may not be first choice at club or for country any longer. This is his own doing. He is not mentally strong enough to rehab from injuries. He is not mentally strong enough to shake off poor form and put the ball in the back of the net. 2008 was not so long ago in the hearts of Spanish football fans.
2008 is ancient times when you try to remember the last time Fernando Torres simply could not be defended.
Fair enough, this is a player that scored the winning goal for Spain at Euro 2008 and was part of the World Cup winning squad in South Africa. Part of the squad meaning his poor form and nagging injuries kept him from being a contributor. In 2008 Torres was a player in the ascent. Possibly the best striker in the world at the
Happy days indeed. The following season his appearances dropped to 38 and his goal tally to 17. In 2009-2010 his appearances again declined to 32 while his goals trended upwards - 22 in total - but still well off that magical 2007-2008 run of form. You know where I am going with this. 2010-2011 the injuries limited Torres to 26 appearances and 9 goals for Liverpool. This was a player some felt was priceless at one point and now was highly injury prone, clearly not enjoying his football and regularly the focus of leaked reports that a move was imminent.
Where am I going with this? You still have ask?
Torres was sulking on the pitch during the early part of this season with Liverpool (and some would say he is doing the same at Stamford Bridge). He was blatantly using the ownership situation at Anfield to cover up his poor form. Torres knows he is no longer the player from 2008. We've seen this happen to young players before. Brazilians seem most prone to flaming out by their late 20s as the matches pile up, the travel for domestic league takes its toll, Champions League matches and international appearances wears on them and next thing you know they are an afterthought. A "could have been amongst the best" type of story.
Wayne Rooney has been dealing with these accusations throughout the season but I think it is more obvious with Torres. He is not just out of form but looks like he does not want to be playing football. He got the move he supposedly desired most - to Chelsea Football Club where he will have the owner's finances to buy any support he needs, Champions League football and the global city to showcase his skill.
He is off the pace whenever he plays. Has been that way for some time. Torres is probably still nowhere near 100% fit but even if he were the attitude he displays proves Liverpool were right in selling when they did. Bringing in a hungry Luis Suarez and the emerging Andy Carroll to replace a pissy Spaniard for a small cost to them was brilliant business. Let Chelsea figure out what is wrong with Torres. Let "role models" like Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka lead him back to his '08 form.
And there he was on the bench against FC Copenhagen midweek being "rested" for Chelsea's fixture against Manchester City this weekend. The striker made an appearance in the 68th minute, plodded around the pitch for the remainder of the match and once again failed to score. Should he bag a goal against City this weekend it does not mean he has turned a corner and regained form.
Torres may not be first choice at club or for country any longer. This is his own doing. He is not mentally strong enough to rehab from injuries. He is not mentally strong enough to shake off poor form and put the ball in the back of the net. 2008 was not so long ago in the hearts of Spanish football fans.
2008 is ancient times when you try to remember the last time Fernando Torres simply could not be defended.
Labels: Champions League, Chelsea, David Villa, Fernando Torres, Liverpool
posted by NickL at 11:01 AM
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