Since Torres scored the infamous goal against Germany in 2008, there hasn’t been too many good performances from Fernando Torres in a España-shirt. But recent performances have seen Torres find his way back into the hearts, and mostly hopes of a nation. “The kid”, as he’s often called in Spain has seen players like Villa, Llorente and Negredo take his place in recent times. But Spain’s National Team coach, Vicente Del Bosque has said before that “Torres is one of us”, despite the fact that it was quite a while ago that Torres performed on the international stage with Spain.
What Del Bosque means with ‘he is one of us’ is debatable, and some people suggest that it’s because of Torres previous trackrecord that he is in the side. However, Del Bosque totally hates the thought of that idea, and instead says that everyone has to fight for their place.
I’ve seen signs that Torres could prove to be a joker during the European Championships next year, something we’ve all seen during the recent weeks with Chelsea, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed as Vicente Del Bosque says he’s in the troop:
“Because he has proved to be good in his club. He has had his verdicts that haven´t passed by anybody but for the European Championships nobody will receive priveleges.”
You could agree to the extent that Torres has performed for Chelsea during recent weeks, but on the other hand there are many fighting for places in Spain’s star-studded side. Torres will have to prove his critics wrong and I hopefully think he will, as having a Fernando Torres in your side is of benefit and isn’t the burden some pundits make it out to be.
Del Bosque is also keen on reiterating the same answer when questioned about Torres, something that may annoy Torres himself in more than one way:
“You got to extend the perspective far more before those in power try to judge him permanently. We have to be just, there has been much competition (for places). Torres has a precedent and a present but I am not a traitor and he´s found stability and performed good for his club, as anyone have seen.”
If it’s seen as a sign of being a traitor if you don’t pick a player, then the issue is deep. Del Bosque shouldn’t feel the need of labouring in the terms of words in this way. He could have just said that Torres is in the side because of recent good form, but he feels pressured on this one, as he knows that the media already know that Fernando is in the side because of older merits.
El Niño or ‘the kid’ is a major plus to any team, but he might have to accept a smaller role this time around in Spain’s quest for gold. It isn’t however, unimaginable that Torres may regain shape and form and therefore become a true starting player for the side. But it will take a lot more than just some goals in the coming weeks. I would say that Vicente has a soft spot for Torres and this soft spot could very well play in the hands of Spain as a team, as in the end, having Torres on your side is for the better good and indeed Torres deserves some credit, albeit for a small transformation during recent weeks.
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