Fernando Torres

[The Skipper 20,593]

If only he had this urgency about him from the beginning of his Chelsea career...

[Special Juan 27,424]

Very good yesterday, actually he a turn of pace again and is chasing lost causes which is so refreshing to see.

[Barbara 15,149]

Going through streaks of matches without scoring happens to many good strikers at some point of their careers. The change in this guy from the last two seasons is undeniable. I'm not going to compare him to Lewa, Falcao, Cavani or even Lukaku (all of which getting better service than any of our strikers, btw), I'm going to look at Torres alone and know that he's playing his attainable best, working his socks off, putting his heart into the performances, helping the team when we don't have the ball and fighting, fighting, fighting.

In terms of attitude he's even better right now than some of those guys above, as for technical quality he isn't on his prime anymore, he's past it, but every time I see him in the pitch for us now, it's different from how it was last two seasons when I'd internally beg the attackers not to pass the ball for him because it'd be a waste, when his apathy and lack of interest and clutch would make me want to punch my TV. Playing Fernando now doesn't feel like playing with 10 anymore. He's changed and while he won't shine as in his best days, or justify his price tag, I'm happy with a player that works for the team and works hard and his work has fruits.

Can he improve technically? Of course he can, but the only thing I could ask him right now is scoring more - but then I'd have to ask the attackers and midfielders to also feed him more chances. He's trying to create himself those chances when they don't appear by themselves. So yeah, I'd like to see more goals, but this is much more than I've ever expected from Torres after those two and a half seasons.

Mourinho - even if he tries to diminish his credit on it - has done an amazing job with Fernando and, of course, Fernando deserves a lot of credit too. It's been a good partnership and in cases like this I realize how we can easily underrate some of the work Mourinho's been doing since he arrived. He's still making mistakes when it comes to a few selections (imo), he still doesn't have his starting 11, but he's worked individually with some players (Fernando, Oscar, Ramires, Terry, etc..) in a fantastic way. He's helping those guys improve and develop individually and it's only a matter of time until we finally start making definite and consistent collective improvements instead of the frustrating roller-coaster displays of good and bad football.

Hats off to Mourinho for his work with Torres, and hats off to Fernando for answering in such a way. It's more than I've asked or expected and I think with a bit more of confidence and if he keeps the injuries away, he'll add more goals to his good displays now for the third consecutive month.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

I'm not going to compare him to Lewa, Falcao, Cavani or even Lukaku (all of which getting better service than any of strikers, btw),

Well this is a false assumption. IF you look throughout Torres' Chelsea career he's had VERY good service. he used to miss ALOT.

Also, to get service you have to do alot of stuff right yourself. You can have three Iniestas behind you but if you dont make yourself available in the correct way, that wont help much for instance...

[manpe 10,861]

Can't believe people are still talking about the service™. I thought this cancer of an excuse had gone extinct a long time ago?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Can't believe people are still talking about the service™. I thought this cancer of an excuse had gone extinct a long time ago?

It's like shoes fashion. It becomes trendy every once in a while

[Joe Ay 66]

I think Jose has worked wonders for him, both mentality and bringing out the best in his game. Jose has always like direct players, and Torres fits the mould. The more quick, direct passes have also helped as it suits his style of play. He looks sharp and strong, and best of all, his body language has shown a remarked improvement. He still frustrates sometimes when he takes on too many players and loses the ball but he looks more like the Torres of Liverpool these days. He thinks he can beat anyone these days and often succeeds, unlike the last few seasons, when he ran at players unconvincingly only to lose out in terms of pace and strength.

Loved the reception he received when he was substituted. You could tell that they all loved his application and attitude. Fans in the stadium haven't lost hope, and neither should we

[The Skipper 20,593]

It's true though. Torres/our strikers don't really get good service compared to the guys Barbara mentioned (I'm talking about this season not about Torres in his whole Chelsra career).

[CHOULO19 24,332]

"Service" is one the those football terms that I really hate, like creativity and pivot..

[Milan 17,853]

[Tomo 21,733]

Loved the reception he received when he was substituted. You could tell that they all loved his application and attitude. Fans in the stadium haven't lost hope, and neither should we

His reception has never been a problem even when he was beyond shit, against Sunderland under AVB it looked like he scored from the bar from the Matthew Harding End, when Neil announced it was actually Lampard that scored half the people around me groaned like the goal was disallowed.

[yuvala 2,167]

Was really really good! His passion was what impressed me the most. After 2 seasons that seemed almost like he didn't even care, he's finally committed, passionate about this club.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

His attitude right now is perfect for a striker with his sort of history. Like doing his talking on the pitch and putting in amazing work rate.

I'm sure the goals will follow soon.

[Blue Armour 4,278]

Can't believe people are still talking about the service™. I thought this cancer of an excuse had gone extinct a long time ago?

Well the service excuse was there for a reason...when a former sharp shooter like Ba ends up struggling to score despite being surrounded by a midfield technically better than Newcastle's, you have to wonder...Things are better this season,though.

It's true though. Torres/our strikers don't really get good service compared to the guys Barbara mentioned (I'm talking about this season not about Torres in his whole Chelsra career).

This.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

It's true though. Torres/our strikers don't really get good service compared to the guys Barbara mentioned (I'm talking about this season not about Torres in his whole Chelsra career).

None of those that were mentioned rely on "service" as much as you and some others think that Torres should get. They know and understand that to get service, you must service yourself.

I think service is one of the dumbest terms people use in a football-matter. And for the record I really doubt Torres would've scored many more goals if he had the service those names have, because if you REALLY look at it, we currently have one of the absolute best attacking midfielders. Mata, Oscar and Hazard are all absolutley brilliant. Just think for a second what they would do in teams like Barca, RM or Bayern. Or just imagine what they would do with a 27yr old Drogba up front..

[The Skipper 20,593]

None of those that were mentioned rely on "service" as much as you and some others think that Torres should get. They know and understand that to get service, you must service yourself.

I think service is one of the dumbest terms people use in a football-matter. And for the record I really doubt Torres would've scored many more goals if he had the service those names have, because if you REALLY look at it, we currently have one of the absolute best attacking midfielders. Mata, Oscar and Hazard are all absolutley brilliant. Just think for a second what they would do in teams like Barca, RM or Bayern. Or just imagine what they would do with a 27yr old Drogba up front..

Read my post properly and you'll see that I think ALL of our strikers don't get enough service this season. It has nothing to do with just Torres.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Read my post properly and you'll see that I think ALL of our strikers don't get enough service this season. It has nothing to do with just Torres.

My reply is still the same. I disagree with you. Read my post again and replace Torres' name with whatever you want.

[Las7 951]

Read my post properly and you'll see that I think ALL of our strikers don't get enough service this season. It has nothing to do with just Torres.

None of our strikers are as good as the ones Barbara mentioned.

Our strikers would not be starting matches in any other top club on the continent - they would be at the very best squad players.

They can be compared to players like Lambert; Soldado; Boni etc who are on a similar level but when compared with top players they pale in comparison. They lack the killer instinct; movement; capabilities that a top striker would have - even a young lad like Lukaku is miles better than them.