Fernando Torres has a tough time defending his status as one of the best strikers of the present time. It seems that the 50 million pound move from Merseyside to London has not done him any good so far with the striker failing to score goals this season.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Torres is one of the best players in the Premier League or for that matter the whole world. But, it has been a while since we have seen the spark in Fernando Torres and it is time he raises his game and proves his detractors wrong.
Since his days at Atletico Madrid in Spain, Torres was a club hero of sorts. He was perhaps the best player to have graced Madrid’s less famous club and his record was absolutely phenomenal in the La Liga.
In the summer before he moved to Liverpool, Manchester United scouts tried in vain to point out to their boss that he is one of the next big thing in international football. An Atletico official was seen in Manchester that summer and Sir Alex Ferguson admits after all these years that he missed a coup by not agreeing to sign Torres at the time for a reasonable fee as he thought that his physique is not suited to the English game.
Liverpool went on to sign Fernando the very next summer and he was an instant hit with the red side of Merseyside. He scored in excess of 30 goals in his first season at Liverpool and the Kop adored him for his brilliance. Known to play to the crowd’s wishes, Torres soon featured in the Kop’s most popular chants.
He made a lasting impression at Liverpool, scoring 81 goals and providing 18 assists in 142 competitive matches for Liverpool. His partnership with skipper Steven Gerrard was one of the best of the Premier League and nearly resulted in a Championship victory for the first time in two decades.
However, things turned sour for Liverpool in the following year as Rafa Benitez was dismissed as coach and the club were heading for their worst season in a while. Torres wanted to leave with the club clearly out of contention for a top four berth that would result in Champions League football. His wish was granted by Chelsea who secured a January deadline day transfer for a British record 50 million pounds.
However, for Chelsea, it remains to be seen whether that money was wisely spent. In 30 appearances for the club so far, the Spanish international has managed a paltry 5 goals and as many assists. Torres himself will not be proud of the statistics and the Chelsea faithful are growing impatient of their misfiring striker.
Perhaps, a fantastic showing against England at Wembley on Saturday will signal a comeback to form for this outstanding striker.