I’ve seen and heard a lot of discussion amongst Liverpool fans regarding whether they would accept their ex-striker Fernando Torres back from Chelsea at a cut-price. The Spanish forward left Anfield in January in a £50m move to join the London club – but as failed to impress thus far at his new home. The media has had a field day with Torres’ misfortune and Liverpool fans will feel that their club did a good bit of business when they decided to move Torres on.
As a result, most Liverpool fans are in agreement that they wouldn’t like to see Torres back at the club -even at a cut-price. The negative feeling that surrounds the striker and the questions regarding his ability to do the job make him that unattractive a prospect.
When it comes to potential Anfield returns however, I think there’s a more interesting question to be asked. Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun left Liverpool in 2010 having spent three years at the club to join Chelsea. In July 2010, a three year deal was agreed and a fee of around £5.5m was accepted on Liverpool’s behalf for the winger’s services.
Unfortunately for Yossi, he’s had an injury-stricken time with the blues. In fact, he’s only made four appearances for Chelsea since joining the club almost a year ago. There’s good news however: he hopes to return in time for the second leg of the Champion’s League semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Benayoun has been back in training for almost a month, but Carlo Ancelotti has been justifiably cautious when it comes to playing the Israeli, given that he’s been out on the side-lines for such a long time and there is a fear he could suffer from a reoccurrence of his injury.
I have always been struck by Benayoun’s intelligent and inventive nature. Whether he’s forced out onto the wings, or he plays behind the striker, he works hard, links up well, has a quick turn of pace and is always direct. Even at thirty years old he remains a top, top player.
Chelsea fan opinion regarding Benayoun has been rather protean in nature. When he was first bought he was regarded by many as too old, or not good enough to make an impact at the club. After a long-time out and Chelsea’s poor form this season, I think opinion on the Israeli has changed. Benayoun may not be regarded as the saviour of Chelsea football club, but his return will be welcomed by all.
Unlike Chelsea fans however, I believe Liverpool fans have always had a soft-spot for their ex-midfielder. Liverpool fans will remember his goal against Real Madrid in February 2009, his late equaliser in the classic 4-4 draw with Arsenal in April 2009, his spectacular finish to the 2008/09 season, his hat-trick against Burnley and much, much more. For the majority of his time at Anfield, he was a class-act.
I can’t help but wonder what would happen to Benayoun at Chelsea should they buy Neymar during the summer transfer window. Will the Israeli find his chances limited? Can he hold down a starting position at the club? I can’t help but feel distressed when I see Liverpool linked to big money moves for the likes of Charles N’Zogbia. Why not go for a cheaper, arguably classier option and a player who you know has produced the goods at the club before?
My question to Liverpool fans is this: Should circumstances permit, would you like to see Yossi back at Anfield?
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If we can get him on a free then forgive and forget.
would accept him back with open arms the only reason he left is because that fat spanish waitor didn’t have faith in him and told him to look elsewhere and he wasn’t willing to wait to see who was the new manager which is fair enough. any realistic fee i’d welcome him back. when he came on for chelsea against wigan he changed the game even though he was on for 15 minutes he probably man of the match.
As things stand we’ve got the better end of the deal with Chelsea when it comes to Torres, but thinking about Cole and Benayoun it has to be Chelsea who made the better decision. We could really do with the Israeli as none of our “wingers” comes close to what he could do.
Im sorry but I dont agree Benayoun was fantastic for our club when he was there but his best position is playing behind the strikers as we have now gone from the 4-5-1 formation he would be now deployed on the wings. Where he would do like Cole & Maxi and cut inside instead of beating the man and getting in a cross seen him do it on countless occassions when he played there. We need a young, fast out and out wideman that can beat players and has a good delivery for our strikers.
We’re better off buying someone decent and/or letting some of our youngsters have a chance…. If we were to sign Benny he would be close to 31 and with injuries sounds like another cole, good player at Liverpool though, shame we never played him in hole behind Torres, as he always had quick feet and a good touch….
i think dis article is ridiculos, why wood liverpool want torres or benyoun back they are muck since they left,we have enough of average players to offload in de summer,de club is moving forward not backways,55 million spent on 2 jackass , liverpool has de last laugh ha ha chelsea buying more flops as usual,ynwa
Come on! He is too old and crocked most of the time. He wanted to leave so I cannot see him suddenly declaring he wants back. Let’s move on….
maybe torres will play for second division kz he is a sheat.u know and exaple 4 chelsea ok just read my upinion ok so we sell one sheat player and then we got 2 good and young players 4 free n torres said he want 2 play champions leage now i have to say torres. plz torres come 2 play wiz my dick fucking sheat.