Has a player ever experienced quite as big a fall from grace as Fernando Torres has since his move from Liverpool to Chelsea? He went from being one of the most feared strikers in world football to being a punchline. Within a few months his confidence was shattered and he never looked capable of recovering.
During his time at Anfield, Torres scored 81 goals in 142 games. At Chelsea, on the other hand, he only managed to score 42 goals in 172 games.
His goal in the Champions League final may have gone some of the way to repaying his magnificent £50m price-tag, but Chelsea fans will still likely call him a flop. His goal-scoring record was too poor, his finishing too slipshod and his overall play too ineffective.
He’s now 30-years-old, so a move away from the club seemed to be more or less inevitable. I don’t think fans were surprised to see him seal a two year loan deal with Ac Milan over the summer. If there was any element of surprise, it was probably over why it was only a temporary move, rather than a permanent one.
The coaching staff at AC Milan seem to be applying a gentle approach to Fernando Torres. It looks like they’re trying to re-build his confidence. Check out these comments from youth coach, Stefano Eranio:
“Torres is a very humble player, he has great technical and human qualities. In recent years he has not been in contention much and has spent a long time on the Chelsea bench.”
“But he is like a car, he needs to play to find his form. He needs the confidence of the coach and to make the most of his surroundings. As a coach, I say that I would always want someone like Torres in the team.” (Source: The Metro)
I’m not sure there’s any way back for Torres at this stage in his career. Still, I can’t help but cross my fingers and hope that Eranio is right. Wouldn’t it be something is Torres were to prove the doubters wrong?
Perhaps the pace of Serie A will suit him. Perhaps he’ll get the backing of his manager and he’ll fire Milan to silverware. Only time will tell.
What’s your take? What does the future hold for Fernando Torres?
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