Fernando Torres. A world-class footballer in the best shape of his life who has no confidence. Works 100% for the team and not idolised as he was at Liverpool. He is loved by most, but not all. My father is one of those who hates him.
After his second game at Chelsea my father was screaming at the TV for his “poor touch” and his “lack of movement”. I almost died of laughter. How could this man who scored a goal for Chelsea against Swansea City at the Bridge which ultimately saw him trudge off the pitch after showing great intent, not have a good touch? Mata’s ball over the top, Torres makes stunning diagonal run, chests down beautifully, swivels, volleys, goal. This guy is a superb striker and armchair ‘Chelsea’ supporters must recognise that goals is not all Torres is made of.
At Anfield, Torres and Gerrard linked up continuously. Gerrard through to Torres, goal. Torres through to Gerrard, goal. It’s not all about scoring goals. We signed him for that purpose, but he hasn’t delivered the goods but is getting close, and passing on the goods to colleagues which he is providing.
Chelsea vs Manchester United. 5/2/12. The game that summed up Torres at Chelsea in a nutshell. Held up the ball excellently, passing was super, providing others with chances was fantastic but his loss of confidence is what prevents him from shooting. That game, he was scythed down many times by that ugly and to be fair, crap player Jonny Evans. Torres didn’t complain. He meant no harm yet is trounced upon. Just like the armchair supporters do, means no harm in not being able to score, yet is abused.
This season, he has scored 4 goals and has 11 assists. Most notably that blinding cross he put across for Mata to bury in the back of the net and that stupendous bicycle kick against Sunderland. This is why we paid 50 million quid for him. Assists like that win you games, win you titles. Admittedly we won’t win the league this year but next year you never know.
Going back to my father, he doesn’t watch the games. He just looks at results at the end of the day. If he looks at the score line and Torres hasn’t scored, the usual response is “he’s crap”, “he can’t score if the goal was longer than his hair” the list goes on. Well, if he was chucked in there with no confidence and no game time in around 2 months (which he was), then this criticism is uncalled for. Drogba played the majority of games in October to December and scored a few goals. What if Torres played in those runs of games? What would happen? Then I think, Torres career at Stamford Bridge is just a big “what if?”
What if he had scored on his debut?
What if he had scored that glorious chance at Old Trafford?
What if he wasn’t sent off against Swansea?
What if AVB plays him in the right way?
The list is taller than you and me. But, if playing to the weaknesses of the player is going to get the best out of him, then good luck Nando. Torres thrives on through balls cutting up defences, not playing it around the box. We have 1 capable player of providing that sort of service. Juan Mata. We also dispensed with a player that could do this. Nicolas Anelka. The Frenchman set up Torres for his first goal against West Ham and that lovely chip at Old Trafford. Mata set Torres up for his goal against Swansea. That is the sort of service a striker of his type requires. Against Genk, Lampard’s through ball to Torres who with finess dances around the keeper and a Meireles cross superbly lofted in and met with Torres’ scrumptious header and bang. Brace of goals. In that game we saw a different Fernando Torres. We saw an all-muscle performance with the same movement and pace and he ran the show.
He isn’t going to dance through defences by himself like Messi or Ronaldo. He isn’t that sort of player. But please AVB. Play to this guys strengths. He has been desperately unlucky of late. That stunning long shot vs Villa and David Stockdales saves against Fulham. There will be nothing better to see than Nando scoring left, right and centre and all Fernando needs is someone to put his arm round him and tell him he will one day be the best in the world and will be a Chelsea legend. Amen!
By Kyri Christou, aged 13
