Before Angel Di Maria, Fernando Torres was the most expensive British transfer in history. When you list his achievements, it doesn't seem like such a bad investment. He was named in the FIFA World XI in 2008 and 2009, won the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, scored in the final of the 201213 UEFA Europa League, is his country's third-highest goal scorer of all time, won the 2010 World Cup and scored in the finals of both Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. It's not a bad list really is it? It's even more impressive when you consider that Torres is still only 30-years-old. And yet the man known as 'El Nino' has one of the most tarnished reputations in football thanks to his time at Chelsea. In 172 the Spaniard only managed 45 goals, a far cry from the potential he showed at his previous clubs Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. The striker did himself no favors when he infamously shot wide past an open goal just minutes after showing signs of the old Torres in crucial tie against Manchester United. His dip in form seemed to follow him for the rest of his time at Chelsea and with such a big price tag, the fans began to grow frustrated at his lack of goals. Although scoring some important goals in his time, (he scored in the final minute against Barcelona to send Chelsea to the final of the Champions League in 2012) Torres failed to consistently hit the target and after four torrid seasons left on-loan to AC Milan.
I’m a 23-year-old journalist having previously produced content for A Stamford Bridge Too Far, The Sun Newspaper and VincoSport. I currently write for Formula One Fancast and What Culture producing weekly blogs and features. I am a co-founder, writer and editor of Tibs News and am a big follower of football, Formula One and combat sports such as MMA, boxing and wrestling.
