Chelsea faced German runner ups Bayer Leverkusen yesterday, with Torres reinstated to the starting line-up after being left out of the starting XI last weekend against Sunderland. With only one goal in 18 league matches for Chelsea, Fernando Torres once again failed to get on the score sheet in a game that he did absolutely everything - but notch a goal. He tracked back to aid in defense, turned defender Castro's hide a few times, and showed invention, personified by an over-head kick that almost that nearly landed in the back of the net. Most notably he had two assists setting up both David Luiz's curler and Mata's tap-in securing a 2-o win for the Blues against Leverkusen.
It's a sad sight to see a player I absolutely adore be so unlucky. This admiration is felt now more than ever for the fact he's not playing for Liverpool, or else we would have these problems. I remember it feeling odd how happy I was when he scored his first and only goal for the Blues, having never been so ecstatic over the fact a Chelsea player had scored. Talk about twilight zone level. It doesn't matter what team he's playing for, I can't forget that hair-raising excitement he impressed upon me overtime he touched the ball in Red, leaving me waiting with baited-breath for the net ripple. Eternally endeared to the player, his magical goals he seemed to score at will in Red seem to have dried up completely in West London. Strikers score goals, but his lack thereof should not take away the value that he still possesses in the Blue of Chelsea, having fellow players Mata and Luiz pointing at the Spaniard saying, " Gracias, Nino," after serving them up the chance to score.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas hoped that dropping the striker would inspire him to up his game, and get back in form. The fact he started against Leverkusen came as a shock - enhanced even more after being quoted in a recent interview with Spain’s Primera Liga calling his fellow Chelsea teammates "old and slow", hinting at the fact that they are in part to blame for his mis-firings. Torres was quick to say he has been misquoted and it was not meant as slight against his teammates. Mis-quoted or not, it is water under the bridge as it's what's done on the pitch that matters. Having listened to the interview myself I can honestly say that the quote causing all this fanfare is as harmful as his goal threat at the moment. This uproar is a load of bollocks and gives clearer reason to why players' give such mundane answers in interviews, for fear of encoring such nonsensical controversy in the wake of a comment. The fact that he has netted just once after his 50 million pound move from Liverpool, would prove supremely troubling to even the great intellectuals of the past, looking to their crystal balls for answers to only summon," Where have to goals gone, lad?"
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If you go onto google images and search Fernando Torres Chelsea, every image
is one of him scowling, upset, looking pissed and unhappy...it's sad but brilliant!
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If he were a Native American, this would be the opportune moment for the out of form striker to set out upon a vision quest, to find himself, becoming one with the pitch he plays on. We all know he has the skills in his locker, the tantalizing Torres, the tormenting and the terrorizing. This vision quest I speak of would come in the shape of Torres returning back to home town club Atletico Madrid and starting anew. He needs to rediscover the hunger, and the will to dominate, felt by playing for passion, and not for money. Since moving to Chelsea with a 50 million pound price tag, the expectation seems too much for the man, unable to cope with the pressure. Moving back "home", is the confidence booster that he needs. A pay cut should be expected ,but that's is the least of his worries as I cannot fathom a scenario of him coming good anytime soon for Chelsea. I would like to, and I know it's certainly possible but I don't see it. He has tried growing his hair long again, even highlighting it slightly, but his gorgeous locks have yet to help his finishing prowess. When that goal came that rainy night at West Ham, I thought the flood gates would open, the goal acting as a catalyst....but sadly this prophecy did not hold water.
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