Chelsea may have won their first game of the season with ease, but there was no goal for their Spanish striker Fernando Torres. How did he play?
Champions League winner and European Golden Boot winner Fernando Torres had an end of the season to remember last season, but the hard work starts here.
No longer can poor performances be blamed on the presence of Didier Drogba, leading the line is now his responsibility – almost solely. It is a task he wanted, and now he has to live up to the trust placed in him?
So how did he get on in the first game of the season?
Overall our assessment would be ‘not bad, not great, and not all his fault for either.’
Chelsea had the match more or less sewn up after 10 minutes, partly thanks to Eden Hazard’s influence, and ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.
There was no goal for Torres, and chances were few and far between for the striker. His closest effort came midway through the second half when Ivan Ramis cleared an effort off the line which he had poked past Ali Al Habsi.
If we were to be overly critical of Torres on that, we would suggest he should have struck his effort more forcefully to deny the defender the chance to get back and clear it, but considering the pressure he was under, he did well simply to get his effort on target.
Frustratingly, that was the strikers’ only shot of the whole game. His other highlight was to lay on a chance shortly after for the onrushing substitute Oscar, who shot narrowly wide across goal.
He stayed on the shoulder of defenders right through until the 90th minute, looking for space to run into, but Wigan had him well marshalled and chances rarely came.
That problem of lack of chances can only be half attributed to the striker, the rest of the blame should go to his expensively assembled supporting cast of attacking midfielders, who failed to conjure up the opportunities for him.
Torres himself completed nine of his 14 passes, 64 per cent, and won 60 per cent of his aerial duels. He worked hard to try and make things happen for himself, but often found himself doubled up on and was denied the space he needs.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Spaniard which will only increase his desire to get on the scoresheet against Reading in his next match.
He may have scored in the Community Shield, but Torres needs a Premier League goal as quickly as possible to stop questions being asked of him and the doubt re-emerging in his mind. It raises the question as to whether Frank Lampard should have handed him the penalty to get off the mark.
The extra thing to consider is an extra bit of doubt concerning Torres at present, and that is the transfer window. Similar to the Drogba effect, Torres knows if he does not score soon then Chelsea’s search for a new frontman will hot up.
This could be making him increasingly anxious, and we may see a more relaxed Fernando Torres come September, when he knows the situation.
A hat-trick, a brace, or even a solitary strike against Reading tomorrow night in front of his home fans will hugely ease any doubt in his mind. Right now there is no reason to overreact, and the onus will be on Chelsea’s midfield providers to hand him the chances to do what he does best, put the ball in the back of the net.
How do you feel Torres did for Chelsea on Sunday?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
