Former Reds striker Fernando Torres put in another ineffective performance for Chelsea last night, and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is convinced that the Spaniard's career at Stamford Bridge is now over.
During Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage of the Manchester United-Chelsea game, Carra suggested that Torres is 'not good enough' anymore, and argued that being snubbed in favour of André Schürrle is the final nail in the striker's coffin. He explained:
"It's probably the end at Chelsea [for Torres].
"He started in the first game against Hull and he was poor, and now he can't get on the pitch ahead of André Schürrle, who is only a winger.
"For me, in terms of an individual player, I don't think we'll ever see Torres come back to being the player we saw a few years ago"
Carra also reminisced about Torres' time at Liverpool, waxing lyrical about how the Spaniard 'tortured Nemanja Vidic [at Old Trafford] in 2009', and insisted that 'you wouldn't have swapped him for anyone'.
How times have changed, though. Even Torres' favourite manager, Rafa Benitez, couldn't get him firing on all cylinders again, and if the struggling striker stays at Chelsea this season, it's probable - through lack of regular playing time - that he'll lose his place in Spain national team.
Despite his continuing decline, there are still some LFC fans who would love to see Torres back at Anfield. Jose Mourinho values him at £20m, but the only way a return to Anfield would ever happen (IMO) is if Torres becomes available on a loan deal, or a free transfer.
In an interview last month, Craig Johnston - who won several league titles with Liverpool in the 1980s - slated Torres. He told The Australian:
"Look at the contrast between him [Suarez] and Torres, who I call 'the incredible sulk'. He was supposed to be our Golden Boy but he carried on like he never wanted to be there; like the other players were beneath him, like, 'I'm not going to run for the ball because I've got blond hair and I'm too pretty and I'm a superstar"
I think Johnston, is being too harsh on Torres here. Irrespective of what went on behind the scenes, he scored a shedload of goals for the club, which, incidentally, was his primary role in the team.
* 2009-10: 18 goals/3 assists in 22 league appearances. That is a formidable return, and if Suarez produced that, Reds fans would foaming at the mouth withhero worship appreciation.
* 2010-11: 9 goals/2 assists in 22 apps. Yes, Torres's effectiveness tailed off a little, but across the 18 months, his combined creative output was creditable: 29 goals/6 assists in 50 starts.
Not bad for a player who suffered a major knee injury in 2010. Clearly, there's strong evidence to suggest that Torres 'wasn't the same player' due to injury, rather than a negative attitude on the field.
Also, in the aftermath of Roy Hodgson's appointment, and LFC's ownership meltdown, who could blame Torres for wanting to leave Anfield? Things looked bleak, yet despite his obvious wish to leave, Torres still did his job and scored goals for the club, including 3 in his last four games.
Additionally, he left with comparative dignity, unlike Luis Suarez who has continually disrespected the club over the last two months in his incessant zeal to jump ship.
In any event, as it turns out, Torres did Liverpool a massive favour by leaving; he gave the Reds the best years of his career, and as Chelsea have discovered, he'll never again recapture the magic that made him one of the world's best strikers.
It's a tragic situation for the Spain forward, but there's a certain sweet satisfaction in knowing that Liverpool - not Chelsea - got the best out of Torres.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
During Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage of the Manchester United-Chelsea game, Carra suggested that Torres is 'not good enough' anymore, and argued that being snubbed in favour of André Schürrle is the final nail in the striker's coffin. He explained:
"It's probably the end at Chelsea [for Torres].
"He started in the first game against Hull and he was poor, and now he can't get on the pitch ahead of André Schürrle, who is only a winger.
"For me, in terms of an individual player, I don't think we'll ever see Torres come back to being the player we saw a few years ago"
Carra also reminisced about Torres' time at Liverpool, waxing lyrical about how the Spaniard 'tortured Nemanja Vidic [at Old Trafford] in 2009', and insisted that 'you wouldn't have swapped him for anyone'.
How times have changed, though. Even Torres' favourite manager, Rafa Benitez, couldn't get him firing on all cylinders again, and if the struggling striker stays at Chelsea this season, it's probable - through lack of regular playing time - that he'll lose his place in Spain national team.
Despite his continuing decline, there are still some LFC fans who would love to see Torres back at Anfield. Jose Mourinho values him at £20m, but the only way a return to Anfield would ever happen (IMO) is if Torres becomes available on a loan deal, or a free transfer.
In an interview last month, Craig Johnston - who won several league titles with Liverpool in the 1980s - slated Torres. He told The Australian:
"Look at the contrast between him [Suarez] and Torres, who I call 'the incredible sulk'. He was supposed to be our Golden Boy but he carried on like he never wanted to be there; like the other players were beneath him, like, 'I'm not going to run for the ball because I've got blond hair and I'm too pretty and I'm a superstar"
I think Johnston, is being too harsh on Torres here. Irrespective of what went on behind the scenes, he scored a shedload of goals for the club, which, incidentally, was his primary role in the team.
* 2009-10: 18 goals/3 assists in 22 league appearances. That is a formidable return, and if Suarez produced that, Reds fans would foaming at the mouth with
* 2010-11: 9 goals/2 assists in 22 apps. Yes, Torres's effectiveness tailed off a little, but across the 18 months, his combined creative output was creditable: 29 goals/6 assists in 50 starts.
Not bad for a player who suffered a major knee injury in 2010. Clearly, there's strong evidence to suggest that Torres 'wasn't the same player' due to injury, rather than a negative attitude on the field.
Also, in the aftermath of Roy Hodgson's appointment, and LFC's ownership meltdown, who could blame Torres for wanting to leave Anfield? Things looked bleak, yet despite his obvious wish to leave, Torres still did his job and scored goals for the club, including 3 in his last four games.
Additionally, he left with comparative dignity, unlike Luis Suarez who has continually disrespected the club over the last two months in his incessant zeal to jump ship.
In any event, as it turns out, Torres did Liverpool a massive favour by leaving; he gave the Reds the best years of his career, and as Chelsea have discovered, he'll never again recapture the magic that made him one of the world's best strikers.
It's a tragic situation for the Spain forward, but there's a certain sweet satisfaction in knowing that Liverpool - not Chelsea - got the best out of Torres.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Jamie I don't think you realise but 18 goals in 22 is almost a 1 in 1 strike rate
ReplyDeleteYou said it - in the aftermath of Roy Hodgson's appointment, and LFC's ownership meltdown, who could blame Torres for wanting to leave Anfield? Not me, that's for sure. I'd have him back. He still scored plenty of goals for Chelsea last season and he's a big lad. We don't have many of those.
ReplyDeleteNot for £20m though, £10-15m I would say.
craig johnston is spot on. torres was only interested in making it to the world cup, therefore rushed himself back from injury when he wasn't ready. selfish to the core. he didn't care about lfc towards the end. he was like a sulky child who wanted his ball back. i'm glad he has declined, he deserves to get all the flak. suarez may not sulk as much, but the circumstances are very similar. it's a season leading into a world cup, so, no doubt we will see him have a storming season, then watch the mood change as he pushes to move on next summer. we should have got rid of him so we could add more faces, but well done lfc for putting your foot down and laying down the law, to these petulant, prima donnas.
ReplyDeletei wouldn't take him back if they offered us money to do it. he is finished. i would give robbie fowler the shirt ahead of him.
ReplyDeleteforget torres. lets buy Eriksen for £15M to play right wing and Adem Ljajic for £11M to play left wing. Then our three amigos will be Coutinho, Ljajic an Eriksen. and i think at times we can go with Lucas holding the midfield by himself, then we can drop gerrard at times, play Lucas holding, have Coutinho AM, have Ljajic LM and Eriksen RM. then we can play Suarez and Sturridge up top...imagine this? but stevie will never leave our starting lineup unless hes injured, not that i mind, but having sturridge and suarez in a strike duo with Coutinho, eriksen and ljajic services is abit mouthwatering, despite the midfield being slightly weak. im sure quality will overcome though
ReplyDeleteTorres lost some acceleration after his injury, he has not been the same since.
ReplyDeleteHowever in the last two games Torres has, imho, looked very fit. He looked good when he came on for the last 30 mins against Manure and against Hull his link up play was excellent.
I don't think we will ever see Liverpool Torres again, but I think he will be a useful player for cfc this season
Im sorry kanwar but i dnt believe Torres left wiv dignity! He slated us! The process wasn't drawn out as long as suarezs saga but it wasnt acceptable to Liverpool fans unlike Alonso, Bellamy or Garcia for example! I loved Torres for his undoubted ability but its time to move on! We STILL have two ov the most talented strikers in the league in Suarez and sturridge! Were wud Torres play? Cup games?
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that Knee injury has anything to do with his performance over the last few years.
ReplyDeleteBoth the Liverpool physio at the time and the Chelsea physio have stated that when Torres signed for Chelsea he was in perfect condition.
Torres underwent a very tough physical at Chelsea and they made damn sure that he had no lasting issues from that injury.
Do you really think Chelsea would sign a player for 50mil if they thought he had not got over that injury.
For me the best explanation on why Torres has failed at Chelsea was given by John Barnes.
John Barnes was question why he always struggled to have the same impact when playing for England as he did at Liverpool.
His explanation was a simple one, Liverpool played a different style of Football which was perfectly suited to his style of play, where as with England it was totally different and never played to his strengths.
The same can be said of Torres.
Both at A.Madrid and Liverpool, the Team, players, style, tactics were all built to get the best out of him.
At Chelsea, he has never had that. Chelsea play a very different style to both Liverpool and A.Madrid, a style of football which if anything goes against Torres strength.
If Torres moved from Chelsea to another team who played to his strengths he would score goals again, of that I have no doubt.
He definitely isn't the same player he use to be but there's a certain romance about Torres and Liverpool. Irrespective of him leaving the club I would love to have him back.
ReplyDeleteIn the dream like fantasy world I live in if we could sell Suarez for 50m and buy Torres and Mata from Chelsea for a combined 50m I would be one extremely happy man. Not that I ever think this will happen buy in a World Cup year with neither player being favoured by mourinho... You just never know ;)
I cannot forget those incredible nights when Torres lifted kops with spectacular goals. He is, rather was one of my all time favorite player. I still go to youtube and watch him scoring goals for Liverpool. Quite amazing. Its a shame that he couldn't continue. From being best in the world to joke of the world is simply embarrassing. I wish he gets back in form for one last time and I have a feeling that will happen if he leaves the club. I would take Torres on loan if possible but most of his salary should be paid by Chelsea, lol.
ReplyDeleteJamie did say "comparative" :)
ReplyDeleteI don't believe FT ever spoke out against any other players, fans or managers when he left or since.
His anger has always seemed to be pointed at the previous owners who I shall not name.
In fairness I am sure he was promised many things and after 12 - 18 months of these promises being broken, I can't blame the guy for wanting to leave.
I Personally feel the problem with Torres is mainly in his head and the way Chelsea play.
ReplyDeleteGive him lots of love and a team setup to get the best out of him, he could still do a lot of damage
Torres 2009: "Each player has one place in the world where he is happy and as a result he plays well. Mine is Anfield"
ReplyDeleteNever forget.
Torres left a club where he was loved. Where the whole team was built around him. I felt through his injury troubles LFC supported him and I hoped to see him pay us back with a little commitment similar to how Agger has done. In reality he decided to go to a club where he was not the only star and had to fit into systems that he was not used to combined with the fact his best days were behind him. I remember Torres did say a lot of negative things about the club insinuating that Chelsea's a bigger club, that the players at LFC never really spoke him and he never kissed the badge blah, blah, blah. Torres would probably argue that his decision to leave was justified winning the Champs League and Europa with Chelsea but his contributions were not as significant as they once were. Even though his decision was made easy working under Woy he ultimately did us a favour and I think we replaced him with a technically better player in Suarez and now we have the promising Sturridge to look forward to. I'd like to look forward and unearth the next super star.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. I have no doubt Torres would be a much more effective player for Liverpool than he is at chelsea. I don't think he will ever be the same player he once was. He's definitely lost a little pace but he remains a quality player. It's a dream I know but it we could get him and mata for the money from a Suarez sale it would definitely strengthen our team. Both players would be perfect for us and would more than replace the creative contribution of Suarez.
ReplyDeleteDon't just say Torres 'slated us' - please post the exact comment. Show how Torres slated LFC. I don't believe he did, but if you think he did, prove it.
ReplyDeletehe certainly isn't going to turn it around at Chelsea, I think he will know that he nedds to go elsewhere to have a chance of playing in Brazil 2014.Right now Villa,Soldado,Negredo, and Lorrente will all be ahead of him to play the cf position for Spain. That is if they decide to play that way .
ReplyDeleteGood point. However, I didn't watch Chelsea last season under Rafa. Did he change the style to suit Torres?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want Torres back, not because I don't think he would do well as he probably would, but because we need to move on and players who go back to a club never seem to do well second time round.
ReplyDeleteHe was a great player for us and he should be remember for everything he did and leave it at that
I wouldn't say he's 'finished' per se but he is a shadow of the player he used to be.
ReplyDeleteHe did a little and although Torres didn't score bucket loads, he did play well.
ReplyDeleteyep, so happy, he couldn't wait to get out of the place.
ReplyDeleteEriksen isn't a winger. We're not going to sign him with Rodgers saying he wants Coutinho centrally... where Eriksen is most effective. I've banged on all summer wanting us to sign him but I can't see it happening.
ReplyDeletewe should think about having two mignolets to goalkeep as well then ;). Lucas is not busquets or toure, he can't hold a midfield all by his lonesome.
ReplyDeletefinished as a top quality striker/finisher.
ReplyDeleteOdd the last couple of paragraphs seem awfully familiar? Anyways, Torres can never cost 20 million. He's done worse than Andy Carrol since his move and big Andy only cost 15 million AND he's a lot younger. So 8 million tops for Torres. My guess would be you'll find him at Valencia come september
ReplyDeleteI have no idea why so many people are obsessed with Eriksen.
ReplyDeleteThe only people who link us with this guy is the press.
So many clubs have been linked with him yet not one has ever put a bid in.. why do think that?
You say that yet one of his Strengths that we adhered to was his pace, something he's lost compared to what he had. In ways it's a LOT like a certain Michael....
ReplyDeleteWhat about a certain Ian Rush?
ReplyDeleteAndy Carroll - 82 App for Liverpool and West Ham - 18 Goals
ReplyDeleteTorres - 133 Apps for Chelsea - 34 Goals
AC - Goal every 4.5 Games
FT - Goal every 3.9 Games
Looks like FT has done better
Nah I wouldn't agree with the finishing, if he's given chances he'll score when he's playing with confidence, something he doesn't have in abundance at Chelsea.
ReplyDeletei'm not sure rushy was better when he came back. i certainly think rushy pre-juve, was more clinical.
ReplyDeleteCould be a number of things but it's not the fact he's not a bad player, Is he overrated ..? yeah I'd say so but he is without a doubt a quality player.
ReplyDeletehis finishing has been woeful, regardless of confidence. you cannot blame lack of confidence on some of his misses, like the open goal fiasco at old trafford? his touch is terrible too.
ReplyDeleteNot now his time has come and gone................shame!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Robbie Fowler, Teddy Sheringham, Sol Campbell, Robbie Keane, and Thierry Henry.
ReplyDeleteAll great players and all who returned to their old clubs but failed emulate their previous performances.
Also Rush returned to virtually the same team he left where as Torres would return to a team which is vastly different to the one he left
I would say it is confidence and the likes of them misses you say just make it worse. It's a vicious cycle. I actually think the best think the best thing for the lad would be to go back to Spain... If he can't cut it there he really is finished.
ReplyDeleteHe may of lost a yard now but when he signed for Chelsea he was fine.
ReplyDeleteWhen he was at Liverpool, we played counter attacking football which gave Torres space to use his pace.
With Chelsea they press a lot higher up the pitch as a team, hence Torres has to play further up the field which in turn means he doesn't have a lot space to run into.
When you have 20-30 yards of space to run into you can use your speed, when you only have 5-10 yards its a lot harder.
yes he should. i thought he should have anyway, if he was to have left us at any stage.
ReplyDeleteNot really, FT costs 42.8% more transfer fee and almost thrice Andy's salary.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool recovered approx 50% of transfer fee and FT will hardly recover 20%.
Liverpool also earned couple of millions from loan and benefited from salary free year.
FT was certainly a bigger flop if not the biggest in the history of football.
no...sean dundee was!
ReplyDeleteNot sure how FT transfer fee's are more unless you include what we paid for him which goes against the op's post.
ReplyDeleteOkay you can bring wages into but then could claim both Liverpool and Chelsea made a hell of a lot more money in merchandised from FT then either Liverpool or West ham have made from AC.
Also how will Chelsea only recover 20%.. would love to know how you plucked that figure out of the air.
They might recoup 50%, they might only recoup 1% who knows?
Only seen glimpses of him so I couldn't give a fair comment either way.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do see is and have seen over the past couple of months is that a day doesn't seem to go by without him being linked to some club and yet nobody has ever put a bid in for him which makes me a little suspect.
I think that is very unfair.
ReplyDeleteMany players have tried to get back to fitness and have returned too soon for a World Cup.
I can't and won't blame any player who wants to play for their Country in a World Cup.
Also how can you compare how Torres left to how Suarez has behaved.
Pretty damn sure Torres wasn't rushing to every media outlet demanding to be sold and leaking details of his contract to other teams.
Was Torres unhappy during his last 12 months, sure, do I blame him for that, not really.
A lot of people seem to forget how bad things were at Liverpool. Here we had this great striker who at the time could of played for any club, watching our best players being sold, not being replaced, a club which was in the midst of a civil war, a club which looked like it was going bankrupt and had all these promises being made and all of them broken.
You telling me you wouldn't of been ****ed off under those circumstances.
I will be totally shock to death if they can sell soon to be 30 year old player for 25mn. David Villa went for 4mn....a better player than torres. Actually, I was being optimistic when I said 10%....with his wages and 3 years left in contract....any sale will involve part of salary to be paid by Chelsea. Now am sure they won't recover even 10%.
ReplyDeleteObviously, one would never know but I think my estimates are close. He might also go for free like Drogba, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka et al.
Torres was "finished" before he left Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough though, although his individual talent has declined considerably, the last two years have been the most productive of his career in regards to actually winning trophies, rather than plaudits - with him scoring some important goals along the way so win-win I guess.
Well it would've been win-win if we didn't immediately throw most of that ridiculous transfer fee away :(
No I'm sorry. To say Torres still did his best is a bit too generous for me. He did have a big old sulk before going to Chelsea even though so many of us were behind him. We made him a hero and that is our fault. He had the injury and wasn't the same player but he didn't realise that and blamed everyone else. So he went to pastures new. Now does he realise he is not the player he was? Or is he still thinking its someone else's fault. I love our fans as many will always be kind to ex players. But for me if a player sulks his way out of the team for a direct rival then forget him.
ReplyDeletetbf, Torres has 'flopped' individually, but he did help Chelsea win some major trophies though, and football is a team game...
ReplyDeleteWhat he did for West Ham doesn't matter. And of the 57 appearances he made for us, he was a substitute or taken off in 23.
ReplyDeleteHelp.....like Erik Meijer helped? (love big Erik though)
ReplyDeleteI guess he didn't think that the club would nearly go bankrupt, the Owners, Manager and Directors would be involved in a cival war, our best players sold and the manager at time would be replaced with Roy Hodgson !!
ReplyDeleteOh please. I don't understand why overestimate that Barcelona goal all the time. Game was already won before that.
ReplyDeleteThis website is used as source now. http://sportsnewsireland.com/soccer/soccer_irish/transfer-news-brendan-rodgers-keen-on-yarmolenko-2013-08-27/?
ReplyDeleteWoaah..!!
The you need to make your posts more clear.
ReplyDeleteIf you discount what AC has done for West Ham that means the following
Andy Carroll - 58 App for Liverpool - 11 Goals
Torres - 133 Apps for Chelsea - 34 Goals
AC - Goal Every 5.2 Games
FT - Goal every 3.9 Games
So how has FT done worse then AC?
see a post further on in this article. he is paid by the club, he has a professional responsibility to that club. country comes second every time. regardless of off field problems, to play like you just don't care is a disgrace and an insult to all the fans who pay a lot of money to travel and support him. there is no excuse in the world that can defend that.
ReplyDeleteyou still have to have proffesional pride.
ReplyDeleteoops! professional.
ReplyDeleteNo, in your opinion Club comes first yet for many players their country comes first and the opportunity to play in a World Cup does not come often for many.
ReplyDeleteAs for his attitude, you need to separate what he did on the pitch and why he left the club.
Yes his attitude towards the end on the pitch was a disgrace, you will not get an argument from me on that score.
However I can understand why he wanted to leave.
I'm not sure exactly what comments newwie is referring to but I do recall Torres making comments along the lines of Liverpool are dishonest, have bad relationships with players, Liverpool were no longer at a level that he required and that he was unhappy while at liverpool because you had to prove you were a professional while at Chelsea it's implied.
ReplyDeleteThese comments could be taken either way but when he left I was disappointed and it made me take a negative look at his comments
Still have a lot of love for Nando, bit upset to see him lose his spark, even if he is at chelsea. Talksport are reporting we have tried to get Mata on loan, it has been rejected by Jose tho.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what professional pride has to do with what the OP posted.
ReplyDeleteWhen Torres made that statement everything was going and couldn't foresee what laid ahead..
Hell none of use could see the hell that was coming.
sorry, you need to be clearer. 'op' and what was going?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what Liverpool were thinking.
ReplyDeleteSorry dude.. OP - Owners Post - My bad :)
ReplyDeleteI referring to the comment that was made back in 2009 that TS was happy. I sure he was, hell we all were.
I don't see what professional pride has to do with Torres becoming unhappy and wanting to move considering what was going on at the club.
If he made those comments, find them and post the exact comments. It can't be that hard (!)
ReplyDeleteok, thanks. i just think professionl pride, in your work ethic, performance and attitude, should never alter from being at the highest level possible, regardless of how bad things maybe behind the scenes. as things deteriorated and he saw what was developing, a true pro. should rise above negativity from areas that he can't control. if the fans can turn out and give 100% then there is no excuse from the players. look at the likes of lower division sides, whose clubs are inturmoil and some on the brink of extinction. you don't find players moping about. they react with professional pride.
ReplyDeleteIn a perfect I would agree, unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world and different things effect people in different ways.
ReplyDeleteSome people gain strength in the face of adversity, others crumble.
FT is one of the those people who simply couldn't cope with what was happening and it effected his performances.
As soon as he saw an opportunity to go he took it.
I dont have much of a problem with players wanring to leave if a club is not matching their ambition or talent. But that is just one quote of many from torres proffessing his "love" for the club, the city and the fans. He spoke of a connection to the history and culture if the place. Then as soon as things go bad, there's a transfer request and he's gone to "a bigger club".
ReplyDeleteIts this kind of bullsh*t is why i find it hard to forgive Torres. Its akin to badge kissing the first game after your transfer in my opinion.
Torres never really gave a sh*t about the club, just about his own profile, and the way he spouted those lines to increase the belief and adoration in him from fans is what really gets me.
Still he gave us some great memories before it went sour
You could say the same for many players these days which is a damn shame.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is I do believe he really meant those comments, it just he has a weak character and when the going got tough he wilted and got out as soon as he could.
As for the bigger club comment, yeah that hurt. In the past decade you could argue that trophy wise Chelsea are bigger, but in every single other respect we **** all over them.
Torres is too old and not good enough to even consider him buying, regardless if the fans would be ready to forgive him.
ReplyDeleteHe chose to walk away from us, so be it ...
As I said I "recall" him making comments along those lines, having now looked into it quickly a majority was that author of the articles opinions but looking at his exact quotes these are two that I found that I believe imply negativity towards liverpool.
ReplyDelete“I just want to be at the level I am supposed to stay because it is a great club with a great responsibility"
"There are more personal relationships and jokes between the players than there were at Liverpool. Everything was much more serious there. Here, you don’t have to prove you are a professional, it is assumed.”
I haven't really looked into it extensively so ill just say I was wrong about some of the comments.
You're completely right, most players these days are exactly like that. But there are still a few around who believe more in loyalty in sport than the zeros at the end of their wages, nd guess im bitter about it because he had me believing at the time that he was one of the few.
ReplyDeleteAh well f**k him it was the best bit of transfer business of the decade, shame we followed it with the worst bit of business in a decade.
I ain't sorry to see him lose it at Chelski, the guy didn't give a monkeys about us in the end :)
ReplyDeleteBloody well said ghost rider i could not agree more, there are some fans who forget that although we love our club these players must do what's best for themselves as well as for the team. I too don't blame him for leaving he got the club 50mill, personally if we could get him for around 10mill i would have him back because when he is loving football again he will be dangerous, we forget the damage he caused even when he had no help up front.
ReplyDeletewhere/when did Jose M say he rated Torres as a 20 mill striker? A link would be great please. If true, not the worst price for a striker I still think has quality.
ReplyDeleteAssaidi at Stoke for a medical and Pool approach Chelski about Mata.?
ReplyDeleteVery skeptical about the Mata loan, but what an upgrade that would be. Chelski would be crazy to let him go, the guy is world class.
He would definately put fear into teams wih Sturridge, Suarez Mataand Coutihno... Wouldnt be many teams that could match that.
#dreamland
The owners never kept the promises that they made to him.And they forced him out! He only requested a transfer in the last minutes of the window because he felt let down,after them failing to bring in more players for the next season.
ReplyDeleteTruth is that he had lost some pace after injury,caused,in my opinion by overtretching,as did a number of LFC players in during same period!
50million in the bank was nice for the owners,however they made the mistake of leaving the 'Carroll' signing so late by waiting for Torres request and sale(money in the bank.) And so,the desparation to sign a new player,(any player.) cost them the inflated price for AC! Only themselves to blame!
Sick of people saying he's finished would love to have him back he's class he still managed over 20 gaols in all comps last year and always scores for Spain the reason he never scores for Chelsea is that greedy midfield just look at Bemba ba telling me he's finish as well never scored for Chelsea strikers graveyard bring back Torres he looks better in red
ReplyDeleteAnd where would he play? Ahead of on form Sturrigde? Ahead of marvel Suarez? He'd be a third choice striker at best and I wouldn't want to see him come in and hamper our youngster's progress. Gerrard said in his autobio that Torres was a negative influence in the dressing room in his last year and a half. Of course he was entitled to leave but he could also have stuck it out. He didn't which is fine but he's closed our door behind him and locked it on his way out as a result. I wish him all the best at Valencia or Malaga this year. Maybe Atletico will even have him back.
ReplyDeleteStrikers graveyard didn't seem to bother Drogba much
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that the Mata loan approach is a total fabrication. TalkSport are the originators, so it's undoubtedly made-up (IMO)
ReplyDeleteThere is already a link. Click '£20m' in the body of the article.
ReplyDeleteits a mad one, but if you dont ask you dont get. cant see it happening at all
ReplyDeleteYeah i wasnt taking it that seriously. He would walk into any CL team. Still a nice thought though. Any truth to the Moses approach do you think?
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone blames Torres for leaving, but the manner in which he did so was poor. Giving up mid-season is a disappointing way to go about it, finish your job, finish the year out and let the club sort out a proper transfer and replacements in the summer, it's only fair.
ReplyDeleteI know it's against decorum on the site, but if we're going to highlight Suarez as a miscreant can we at least point out how Raheem Sterling is embarassing the club? This is his second? assault charge. Say what you want about Suarez (and I agree with Jaimie to a point) but I find less wrong with taking out your frustrations on a bulky slavic man than on a young woman. Absolutely reprehensible.
please use punctuation...!!!
ReplyDeleteRegardless, Torres is still down on record as scoring a few important goals on the way to picking up a number of trophies with Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteAs opposed to scoring a lot of goals for us on the way to achieving nothing with Liverpool.
Depends on your perspective as to what you'd look back on in hindsight as the 'better' part of your career.
Hey H8UTD you say he was paid by the club so he is employed by the club then yes?
ReplyDeleteWell when you are not happy or if your boss promises things to you and then go back on his word, are you not going to go and find another job?
This is the problem we loved what he was doing for our club therefore we loved him but when he wanted out you guys felt betrayed.
What people some people seem to forget is that these players are professional footballers, they work for the clubs we they are, if they are not happy where there are working then they move on, do you guys get upset when the club sells players who they no longer require because they can't do the job for us and the club NOOOOOO.
Personally, I wouldn't take him back because I think of him as a traitor and just don't like him anymore (even if leaving under Roy was understandable). No one is going to pay a transfer fee to Chelski for him, and no one is going to pick up his salary, a team would have to be full of idiots to do that at this stage of his career. He's not coming back to LFC.
ReplyDeleteToo true, at the end of the day's they are employees working for employers. We don't see what goes on behind the scenes, or here conversations, promises, etc. It's not uncommon to be promised things at a job that don't materialize, having a jerk for a boss, don't get along with your colleagues, etc. Things happen people leave, that's life. Currently I'm vying for a move elsewhere, more prestige better money - but until then, "I love it here, the people are great, and I plan on retiring here."
ReplyDeleteNo they stay because no one else is offering 50mill for them. then you will see the owners professional pride come out to when they sell.
ReplyDeleteJamie, you seem to conveniently forget that Torres handed in a transfer request to force a move through. Suarez merely requested that a clause in his contract be honoured. If any of the 2 lacked dignity it's Torres, who then proceeded to belittle Liverpool FC's stature. Let's be honest with ourselves. We were already bracing for a Suarez departure before the last season started but he stayed on. I'm not saying Suarez is a saint by any measure but call a spade a spade. THere is a reason fans hate Torres but still love Alonso despite both handing in transfer requests. Think about that for a minute.
ReplyDeleteHis international record since he's left liverpool has been really good though, Shevchenko-Torres style of players just don't suit Chelsea's style of play.
ReplyDeleteNot been the same player since he picked up an injury three years ago AND even worse SULKED - no place for sulkers in BIG BRENS teams
ReplyDeleteLook so what he left - he wanted medals - not only did we not provide them we showed little ambition towards achieving them. he now has a fa cup medal, europa, champions league medal too.
ReplyDeletetorres was good for us because we played everything through him and he had gerrard to provide him - at chelsea they hardly give him the ball and when he does get he isnt expecting it!
We had his best years, played him to death at the request of the media who hated Rafa rotating him and contributed to the boy doing his groin to such an extent he lost 2 yards of pace. Fatal. Now, If you can't play in front of Chelsea's midfield you've had it.
ReplyDelete"look at the contrast between him and Suarez......"
ReplyDeletegood judge of character ol' Craig Johnston :)
torres is finished at top level...a one trick pony who has lost it... Graig Johnston is spot on with his comments...thats why i dont want suarez back ....him and tores miss boat loads of games yet complain they dont win anything...heres an idea try putting a full season before you moan about how crap your teammates are ...they want it all they want to miss a shit load of games and have the team built for them...heres my message for the pair of them...F*ck you you pair of ungrateful t*ats
ReplyDeleteThis is worth considering.
ReplyDelete‘The Liverpool fans don’t know the truth about why I signed for Chelsea,’ the 27-year-old, who spent three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, told Spanish television.
‘The fans don’t even know half of what happened. They don’t know what the people in charge at Liverpool are like - they have a completely different perception of what they are like.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2077265/Fernando-Torres-Liverpool-owners-lied-truth-Chelsea-move.html#ixzz2dBzaE6v7
Fernando Torres Quotes
ReplyDelete‘The Liverpool fans don’t know the truth about why I signed for Chelsea,’ the 27-year-old, who spent three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, told Spanish television.
‘The fans don’t even know half of what happened. They don’t know what the people in charge at Liverpool are like - they have a completely different perception of what they are like.
‘They made promises that they didn’t keep and I left because I realised I didn’t have time to be part of a project that would take years.’
The former Kop idol, who netted 81 times in 142 Liverpool appearances, also attempted to build bridges with the Anfield faithful.
‘I have nothing against the Liverpool fans,’ he said. ‘I didn’t want to leave Liverpool the way I did but the club lied. I was let down and I don’t understand why the fans hate me.’
Reina also back this up!
I quiet remember him saying he is going to a bigger club. That's why the fans got upset and rightful so. Suarez was a gift to Torres and he still left. Suarez was brought in to help Torres rediscover his form but he left for a "bigger" club. Suarez comes in and Kuyt and Maxi are scoring hat tricks for fun, all this while StevenG was injured. Now imagine what Torres would have done.
ReplyDeletei can buy that argument if you dont miss more games than you play...heres the crux he missed alot of games...great players take there club into Europe the others just join a club already there
ReplyDeletei agree but the circumstances at the time were not good and that's being kind. There's more to the story than we all are lead to believe.
ReplyDeleteJamie Kanwar accepting the Hodgson era was a disaster, wow has the world ended?
ReplyDeletePeople are dreaming if they think signing torres will bring about an upturn in form. He was never the same since the surgery he had a liverpool and then rushed to return for the world cup. Unfortunately i dont believe he will ever get anywhere near the type of form he showed for us in his first 3 years.
ReplyDeleteTorres would have no motivation to play for Liverpool as he wasnt motivated when he was still with us. We've moved on and he should play no further part in our thinking for the future. He also would want an inflated salary which is not what FSG will pay for a 29 year old.
ReplyDeleteHow many goals did FT score in his first 58 games ? That would be a more accurate comparison
ReplyDeleteHe left under kenny mate not Roy. Especially when everyone was playing good. They had that new manager effect on the club. There's absolutely no chance of him returning. It's virtually impossible now so let's move on
ReplyDeleteWe can't really blame Torres at that time under those difficult circumstances and we don't know what transpired behind the scene. Yes, at least he did not leave like how Suarez wanted to.
ReplyDeleteBut from a football perspective, he did had his best years at Liverpool. It is not surprising to see that his performance at Chelsea tailed off. Injury aside, Chelsea had a good squad with depth and their playing style was different to Liverpool's. As I have always maintained, Liverpool then relied on Gerrard and Torres as the focal point of attack, so naturally, Torres with his skills stands out like a sore thumb. But at Chelsea, they do not rely on 1 or 2 players. They get goals from many players and of course they had Drogba.
take him on loan any day, not worth more than 10mil these days though.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't even have Torres back selling tea at a stall in the ground. The man is a cu*t.
ReplyDeleteI definatly would not give fowler a shirt over torres i had to to watch fowler dissapoint week after week while he struggled to run around the pitch and get on the ball and drain our funds at perth glory fc in australia i was very glad to see him go
ReplyDeletePeople can pull out stats and all that. But the general consensus is that Torres is not the Torres of old. The torres of old was a lot more dangerous. For instance this week vs United, Torres came on as a sub. He ran at the back line, but lost legs and footing to control the ball, and United ended up repossessing the ball. The Torres of old had agility that gave him wings, the old Torres would have got a shot on net at the end of that play. His gracefulness on the ball has gone. U only see this part of him on rare instances nowadays. IMO his body has changed since his golden time at Liverpool. For instance if you have a look at Torres's calves, they have blown up!!!! More muscle doesn't necessarily mean a player will become better. Ryan Babbel and Ben Arfa are a few that come too mind.
ReplyDeletecheers thanks
ReplyDeleteWait a sec, is the link to the "the Australian" ?
ReplyDeleteIf so, no mention of the 20 mill valuation by Jose.
Torres is clearly a man who thrives off confidence and love of the crowd. Atletico gave him this as did liverpool. At Chelsea hes never had this, they will always compare people to Drogba. Mourinho clearly loves players with egos hence why he loved Drogba, Torres is a shy lad much more reserved. I also question mourinho though everyone talks of this great manager well to me he can only play to one style the drogba style, because his team do not try and get the best out of torres and hes not even willing to try a more through ball game. So the game pattern does nothing to help torres is game. Watching the game the other night i thought it was outrageous how he had no recognised striker playing, so negative. He clearly has no faith in torres or lukaku. I feel a little sorry for torres he seemed to be gaining a little more confidence, when benitez was at chelsea getting a few more goals. Now mourinho has come though and i think has thrown torres on the scrap heap already. There were times last year when torres showed glimpses of his old self but injuries haven taken there toll and his confidence is probably at an all time low. Its a shame the few times i got to see him live in his liverpool days scoring fabulous goals, and his effortless stride racing across the suface was a joy to most fans. I fear for him now though, unless he finds a way out of chelsea his career is in ruins.
ReplyDeleteNot hard to find them at all... just depends if you allow them to stay up here & prove you wrong:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/8377399/Chelsea-striker-Fernando-Torres-brands-Liverpool-a-selling-club-and-had-considered-leaving-for-some-time.html
Chelsea is the wordt club for a player to raise!!! If torres vome back he can kill chelsea and man u
ReplyDeletepair him with gerrard and he'll answer us all..!!
ReplyDelete20 million for a 29 year old misfiring Torres who hasn't had a great season since 2009??? all those quoting his awesome stats from back then that was 4 years ago, he's not the same player anymore! he's never been the same since those injuries he had at LFC and his confidence is shot, i'd rather have Lukaku than Torres, remember how Lukaku destroyed us last season when on loan with West Brom, i'd have some of that!
ReplyDeleteFernando torres is not a bricklayer he is a professional footballer who millions of people look to for an example and so to is luis suarez for that matter. you make it sound like he has a normal 9-5 job...Us fans pay his wages no matter who the owners are and we expect a certain level of performance on and off the field... Also d they understand what a contract is this is not just any job this is Liverpool football club!!!
ReplyDelete