Date: 15th June 2011 at 6:45pm
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On the 31st January, Chelsea acquired the services of Spanish striker Fernando Torres for an astonishing £50 million. This made him the fourth most expensive player in the history of the Premier League, a fact made more astounding by the fact that Torres had not been playing anywhere near his best for the first half of the season at Liverpool.

Roman Abramovich obviously thought that Chelsea’s players and style of play would be able to bring the best out of the new No. 9 and they would recoup their investment fairly quickly thanks to a significant number of goals from the forward. Quite simply, it hasn’t happened. Torres has scored only one goal for The Blues and has not yet fit into the Chelsea system or gelled alongside the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka.

Torres, though, I’m sure can make a return to his incredible form of previous seasons but it is clear that Chelsea will have to make a few changes to their personnel and playing style in order to achieve this.

With the benefit of hindsight it is now easy for us to say that Fernando Torres was an odd buy for Abramovich and Chelsea. As well as the fact he was (and still is) out of form, it is clear that a strike partnership with Chelsea’s main man Didier Drogba was always going to be a tricky proposition. You see, Torres and Drogba are similar types of strikers, when at the top of their game. Both like to play from the front and benefit from great midfield service.

Both players are willing to drift out wide if needed but ideally prefer to be in and around the box. What aids both Drogba and Torres is a “creative striker”, a player who can drift wide and collect the ball from the flanks or who will draw the defenders away and leave their partner free to stay in that danger zone around the area.

Drogba had this with the likes of Anelka and Florent Malouda alongside him and whilst Torres lacked this at Liverpool for the first half of the 2010-2011 season, the signing of Luis Suarez during the transfer window was clearly intended as a skillful strike partner for the Spaniard. Perhaps Torres is now regretting his hasty decision to leave Anfield having seen Suarez play at Anfield. The Uruguayan is a player who would have brought the best out of Torres, in my opinion.

For Torres at Chelsea it has now become clear (as American 70’s pop group “Sparks” once sang) that “this town ain’t big enough for both of us.” Torres and Drogba cannot coexist at Stamford Bridge unless one is willing to act primarily as a substitute next season, which I very highly doubt.

Already Chelsea appear to be making moves to resolve this problem as reports now suggest that they are willing to accept any substantial offers for the Ivorian. This is a shame for Drogba as he has proven himself to be a real team player this season and has earned a lot of respect from fans and journalists alike for his attitude. Indeed, I was a critic of Drogba in seasons past as I felt his attitude was lacking and for a big, strong centre-forward his propensity to go to ground under any challenge was irritating.

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44 responses to “How can Chelsea get the best from Torres? [Part 1]”

  1. Roy says:

    Hmm yeah maby.
    I love Drogba, but maby we need to sell him to get the best out of Torres, i dont know.
    But yeah deffinatley some youngsters

  2. patmos says:

    wat ar u guys talking abt?u don’t undastand simple english get best out of torres.it means give suggestion n u ar here critizing torres.Torres needs good midfiders dat can give him d passes n he should b a lone stricker.we need sharp attacking midfielders.tnx

  3. Roy says:

    and where is that criticism you’re on about?

  4. Puke Worthy says:

    Roy and Suarez_on_fire sitting in a tree
    K-I-S-S-I-N-G

    Enough of the new found love puke already will you both?

    Would love your team to win just not the Mancs BS

    Liverpool for the champions league at next qualification or Barca to annihilate everyone else till then will do.

    Liverpool to win Prem or p155ed off if any other team does.

    What is wrong with fans nowadays? Your own team or no team in future you liars

    Grow a pair you girls

    • Suarez_on_fire says:

      No ones listening go to bed princess mummy will be up in a minute

      • torres_oops says:

        No one listening except Roy and Suarez_on_fire again I see.

        Can’t answer what you haven’t heard mate – Puke Worthy has reeled you in I think – 🙂

        Torres left cos (like Masch and Alonso) he was probably fed up of going in to work under the previous owners and all the sh1t that went on everyday.

        You can’t want Chelsea to win but not Man City – they are one and the same entity

        BAD FOR FOOTBALL in the long term

        • Suarez_on_fire says:

          I understand what your saying but all I was getting at was IF we don’t.win.the league then I would want anyone but united but did state.my total disgust at arsenal I don’t know why but I actually dispiise them ! I’m not saying I.want chelsea or city to win but in the case of us not winning I would however the amount of money city are spending then it would.be hilarious if they did nothing.

        • Suarez_on_fire says:

          And plus I was on about CL first before puke face butted in without reading properly

        • torres_oops says:

          Don’t let ‘any face’ wind you up champ – Man City are only doing what Chelsea did before and did again in January. It should be hilarious that Chelsea win nothing either then by your logic – just like it is that their former Manager can win nothing in Spain even with plenty of CASH thrown at it – not so special after all??? Carlo was and is a far better man of football than either EGO’s that saw success with the money spending approach before at Chelsea – One has gone to Real Madrid to spend but can’t seem to do it now – One remains at Chelsea to spend but can’t seem to do it now either – Chelsea’s successful setup did not need a Torres but someone with no knowledge of real football bought one anyway and insisted he played – much to the detriment of everyone.

          Whether you like it or not, Fergie Red Nose has a better knowledge of team building than most – better than most though does not include a certain Kenneth Matheson thankfully and Kenny has always outdone him when around to compete in the red of Liverpool.

          1 canny scot who is a great manager and 1 cannier Scot who knows how to out hussle the hustlier.

          I think these temporary rivalries of big money clubs have had their days in the sun without really establishing a foot hold in history.

          Kenny at Liverpool, Fergie at Man U – ebb and flow, 60’s Man U? 70’s 80’s Liverpool! 90’s 00’s Man Utd! Liverpool next again??? I think so

          Only difference? Man Utd are always involved in a 2 horse race traditionally – with either Arsenal or Chelsea

          Liverpool traditionally are the only team in it when they dominate.

          WOO HOO!!!

  5. Roy says:

    k.

  6. Nolo says:

    I don’t think its been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Torres and Drogba can’t co-exist. Ancelloti couldn’t find a solution, thats why he was sacked. If its possible, Hiddink will get it done. The prospect of having an inform Drogba-Torres team is too good to give up on it too quickly. As they say, a team needs time to gel. Give them one more season together.