Neither Fernando Torres or Romelu Lukaku were wanted by their respective managers- and both face questions over their futures at the club.
Roberto di Matteo now becomes Fernando Torres’ sixth manager in two years, following Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, Carlo Ancelotti, and the recently departed Andre Villas-Boas.
Ancelotti was the Chelsea manager when Torres was signed for Chelsea, but the Italian was not the instigator in signing him from Liverpool.
It was more of a case of Torres being thrust upon him, like a happy kid being handed an expensive present which does not work, or fit amongst his other toys.
At the start of 2011, Chelsea were fighting back from a difficult winter, as shown in a 4-0 win away to Bolton days before Torres signed, with goals from Drogba, Anelka, Malouda and Ramires.
As soon as Torres arrived, he was shoehorned into the side, and failed to gel with his teammates, particularly Didier Drogba.
Carlo Ancelotti’s failure to get him firing resulted in his sacking, but Torres fortunes have continued to suffer, with the striker displaying a complete lack of confidence.
The case of Romelu Lukaku has been even more mystifying.
Touted as Europe’s hottest striking prospect, he has been Chelsea’s invisible man, handed mere scraps when it comes to first team outings.
It is clear that he was identified by Chelsea’s scouting network and bought before any of the club’s European rivals made a move, as opposed to being signed under the instructions of Andre Villas-Boas.
Villas-Boas was reluctant to use him, and the striker has been getting increasingly impatient in recent weeks, but the manager’s departure could be good news for him.
Lukaku had been touted for a loan move in the summer, or even a permanent deal away, but his future, like Torres, depends on the future plans of the next permanent boss, whoever that may be.
Last night, Roberto di Matteo included both in his squad to face Birmingham, but was unable to get a goal out of Torres, while Lukaku did not make it off the bench. Not exactly the brand new start either would have been hoping for.
There is still a chance that both may come good, but if they are to remain at Chelsea, Torres has to start scoring, and Lukaku has to start playing.
If these two things do not happen, both will be considering the possibility of exiting the club in the summer.
What will happen to the pair in the summer?
image: © wshjackson
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