10 Premier League Flops Who Could Become World Cup 2014 Stars
2. Fernando Torres - Spain
To some Fernando Torres may be remembered in years to come as one of the great Premier League players. He was unusual in moving from one of Europe's other major leagues at the peak of his form and fitness and became one of Liverpool's greatest ever strikers in four years of extremely regular goalscoring. Since Chelsea spent an enormous £50 million on the man they call El Nino back in January 2011, however, it's hard to view Torres as anything but a Premier League flop. At Chelsea, struggling with fitness, confidence and the weight of expectations, Torres has only occasionally looked like the player that lit up the Premier League in previous seasons. In three and a half seasons at Stamford Bridge he has managed a mere 20 league goals in 110 games (for comparison he scored 24 in the league in just his first season at Liverpool). However, there are signs that Torres might have more to offer at the World Cup. For a start, although he has struggled for goals in the league, European competition has still proved fruitful for Torres in front of goal. In 2012/13 Torres scored 3 in 6 in the Champions League and 6 in 9 in the Europa League, including in the final as Chelsea lifted the trophy. This year he scored 4 in 9 in the Champions League and ended the season scoring against former club Atletico Madrid in the semi-final and in the final league game against Cardiff. He is on form and obviously prefers to play oversees opposition and big games, all of which may suit the World Cup. Even during his failing spell at Chelsea, Torres has always impressed for the national team, winning the Golden Boot at both Euro 2012 and the 2013 Confederations Cup. This previous international experience is what has ensured a return to the national team, selected in the final squad ahead of Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo and scoring in the recent friendly against Bolivia. All of which may stand him in good stead against Diego Costa who lacks international experience having never scored for either Brazil or Spain.
