Even Abramovich must now be wondering if he gave the go-ahead for the massive signing of the correct striker, such has been Sergio Aguero’s (who Chelsea were linked with over a number of years) instant brilliance at Manchester City since joining his new club. The Argentine has scored more goals in 30 minutes of Premier League action, than Torres has in 6-months.
The comparisons with Shevchenko – another expensive flop at Chelsea, continue to grow and grow. The situation becomes even more intriguing, the more Chelsea find ways to win once their costly number-9 is substituted – giving new manager Andre Villas-Boas a striking conundrum.
You see Chelsea already have strikers at the club, and whilst they may be deemed past their prime, they are proven goalscorers for the club – and proven winners whilst wearing Blue. Although Chelsea may be trying to usher in a new period – led by Torres, they still find themselves in situations where they have to fall back on the ‘old-guard’ of Drogba and Anelka to win games, such has been Torres’ failings. That’s not to say things will remain the same – Torres has looked visibly sharper in the season’s opening two fixtures, winning the Man of the Match award in the first.
But the fact still remains; they drew the opening fixture 0-0 with Torres playing 89 minutes, then against West Brom it wasn’t until they withdrew Torres for Drogba on 58 minutes, that they took the lead and won the game 2-1. It is a worrying, reoccurring pattern which stretches back to last season with Chelsea gaining better results once Torres has left the pitch.
Until Villas-Boas finds a perfect solution and formation for Torres, a player who throughout his career has always performed best individually when playing up-front alone (Atletico, Liverpool and Spain as evidence), or Torres himself finally manages to adapt his game in a way he has never done before, then his career in the ‘Big Smoke’, may go up in smoke.
Written by Jimmy Areabi for FootballFancast.com. If you want to read more from myself including news, thoughts and views you can follow me on Twitter @fantasista1077 thanks!
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Torres stated that Liverpools future was not looking bright,it got a hell of a lot brighter when he left.Suarez and Carrol to replace him,what a deal.Suarez is undoubtedly proving him self to be probably the best striker in the country.