Forget a return to Liverpool, or signing for Arsenal or Anzhi Makhachkala, the Spaniard’s future lies at the Bridge, and here’s why…
1) New year, new start
Come January, Torres will have the opportunity to start afresh. Sound silly? Not really when you consider many of the Spaniard’s problems may be psychological. Look at Wayne Rooney’s horrendous 2010. After March he didn’t score in open play for the rest of the season, but on January 1 when most of the nation were nursing a hangover, Rooney was scoring against West Brom, and apart from a barren October and November, has scored goals galore including several hattricks.
2) His main rival Drogba is off to the African Nations Cup and could be leaving for good
If Torres sits tight, his chances will come. Yes at the moment Drogba is in form and keeping him out of the side, but Torres will in January be number one for around five games in succession where he can expect to play 90 minutes. He can show what he can do and regain his form and confidence, and might even keep his place for good. Drogba is expected to leave for good this summer if not before, and with Anelka also gone and Lukaku too raw, Torres will have a chance to cement his place as number one.
3) Moving would be an admission of failure
If Torres leaves, Chelsea will forever be a stain on his CV he will never be able to erase. If he is sold, he will go for a fraction of the price he was signed for, and this humiliation could destroy his confidence further. Not giving up will do him good, he has support around him from club and teammates, so there is no reason to give in. Torres can fight back and restore his once golden reputation.
4) The team is being built to suit him
Mata, Meireles, Romeu, are all skilful players who like to play the ball on the deck and can thread a pass. Given proper playing time to gel, and with potentially new midfielders arriving to replace Malouda and Kalou when they are sold, Torres can fit in perfectly with the style of play Villas-Boas aspires to.
There were flickers of a comeback earlier this season at Old Trafford before his terrible miss, showing he just needs a bit of magic from somewhere in a big game to reignite it, and these are the players to provide it. With David Villa possibly out of the Spain side for Euro 2012 with injury, a strong end to the season could see an international recall and a fairytale end.
5) Where are his options?
Chelsea have already said they don’t want to sell him, so its time to knuckle down and get on with it. Out of form he does not hold the cards to force a move, as he did at Liverpool. Liverpool would not take him back, and if they considered it fans would be divided at the very thought. Elsewhere in the Premier League talk of going to Arsenal is just that, talk, it wouldn’t happen. Barcelona do not need him despite Villa’s injury, and once-suitors Madrid will not be interested either, especially at the high price Chelsea would demand. Russia? Don’t even bother.
Should Torres stay?
image: © Wshjackson
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