Fernando Torres

[Madmax 9,219]

Love or hate Rafa, Torres played brilliantly under Rafa. He understood how to play Torres to his best. Torres even said Rafa was all business, tactics, but he learned to appreciate that because Rafa was making him a better player. There were times when Rafa publicly said he was great. Others when Rafa said quit whining, play better. I do think Rafa publicly and privately thought he was a very good player and had the ultimate confidence in him. That goes a long way with any player especially a striker. Not so sure Carlo shared that same confidence. Surprised at the positive pre-match talk from AVB which is rare. Maybe he's trying a different approach.

But the thing with Carlo was that he had to juggle between two big names in Drogba and Torres. Rafa only had Nando to handle.

Love or hate Rafa, Torres played brilliantly under Rafa. He understood how to play Torres to his best. Torres even said Rafa was all business, tactics, but he learned to appreciate that because Rafa was making him a better player. There were times when Rafa publicly said he was great. Others when Rafa said quit whining, play better. I do think Rafa publicly and privately thought he was a very good player and had the ultimate confidence in him. That goes a long way with any player especially a striker. Not so sure Carlo shared that same confidence. Surprised at the positive pre-match talk from AVB which is rare. Maybe he's trying a different approach.

But the thing with Carlo was that he had to juggle between two big names in Drogba and Torres. Rafa only had Nando to handle.

[Tortilla9 390]

But the thing with Carlo was that he had to juggle between two big names in Drogba and Torres. Rafa only had Nando to handle.

You're right although it seems this season there hasn't been so much juggling with one or the other suspended or hurt.

[dodojojo 510]

Pepe Reina better watch his back after having offered an alternative view of Torres' departure from LFC. Reina paints a far more balanced and human picture of what went down. Since they're not directly about Chelsea, I'll only leave the links rather than pasting the interviews here.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-Real-reason-Fernando-Torres-joined-Chelsea-revealed-by-Pepe-Reina-article831961.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/18/pepe-reina-fernando-torres-liverpool?newsfeed=true

[Tortilla9 390]

"As is Fernando, whatever his form at present. He is my friend and I will always have time to speak to him but I will only wish him luck after the game at Chelsea. He's tougher than he looks. I offered my help when he was leaving Liverpool but he didn't need it, he's mentally strong. He took everything on his own shoulders but he could handle it, be mature about it. Sometimes in football you just have to move on."

Safe to say Reina knows Torres better than any of us do. Also reinforces my personal thoughts that Torres is tougher than his blonde hair and hair band show and has a more ruthless streak than you'd think. You don't leave two clubs that love you on a whim.

Now if he could just put together some ruthless consistency on the pitch.

[Tomo 21,751]

What i find hilarious but irritating at the same time is Liverpool fan's refusal to accept that this is not the 80's any more, i have so many arguments on youtube with Scousers, i should'nt really sink to their level but i just cannot help myself.

They accuse us and United fans of being plastics and gloryhunters then in the same sentance go on about how succesful they were are, one way to make youself look like a complete hypocrite in one sentance.

We beat them this sunday it will be another 3 points, they beat us and it will be wild world cup win like celebrations again like last seaon, Arsenal and Spurs fans do exactly the same thing, not being funny but do you celebrate like you won the world cup against clubs that you think you are superior too?

TBH im happy for them with Kenny's appointment, a washed up manager living on former glory's managing a washed up club living on former glory's, the perfect match really.

[tmessy 139]

good words from AVB,

always nice for publicly having your manager back you... and you can tell AVB really does...

torres to shine on sunday, in more ways than one...

now time to sit back and watch the torres show, cant wait!

[ZanSnake 1,211]

We need both Raul, Mata and Lampard on the pitch at the same time for Nando to score, me thinks, or Anelka at least.

Hoping for the best.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

We need both Raul, Mata and Lampard on the pitch at the same time for Nando to score, me thinks, or Anelka at least.

Hoping for the best.

[dodojojo 510]

Think it's best to keep a level head--three points is everything. Torres goal(s) is a bonus. If he doesn't score but provides 2 assists, I would be happy to take that. Can't have LFC catch up to us.

[Ollie 4,400]

Torres will save his goal against them for may when we go and win the league there, kinda like 2010 style.

[dodojojo 510]

Pass from Gerrard?

[termninja 5,290]

Torres will save his goal against them for may when we go and win the league there, kinda like 2010 style.

More like, 4th 3rd place

[Badboy 1,526]

Torres needs the whole team pulling in his direction to score 25-30 goals. He needs too much of the teams resources and Liverpool were able to give him that because they are not a fantastic side. He is not going to get that at Chelsea because we actually want to win things and someone who is just a goal scorer up front can not provide enough for us in the long term.

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

Fernando Torres is not just in the team to score goals, argues Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas

http://www.telegraph...illas-Boas.html

[termninja 5,290]

If he scores tomorrow he'll get a huge confidence injection. We've already seen how much does it mean for a team to have a on form striker so if Torres can start banging them in regularly our season will be much easier.

If he does score tomorrow I do hope to see him celebrate