FERNANDO TORRES FRUSTRATED CAREER

In Hong Kong, China, a bit sheepishly, Fernando Torres held up his Chelsea FC kit shirt. Across its back where the name and number would normally be found was the word “Triumph” in both English and Cantonese script.

Perhaps he understood the irony. A few words spring to mind when describing Fernando Torres and his £50m transfer fee, but triumph is not one of them. Instead Fernando Torres looks lost, confused and angry that his transfer has become such a vocal point. He has refused all requests to talk to the media on Chelsea FC’s tour of the Asian continent.

The Spanish forward, unfortunately had to answer a few questions in a Press Conference scheduled on 26 July 2011 for the shirt sponsors.

Here are the questions.

Q: How do you assess your personal form?

FT: We are all trying to be in the best form for the new season. There are big expectations that Chelsea FC always have. I have been here six months and I can see the winning mentality they have. It’s going to be a long season. My form is OK, like my teammates. We have a new manager and it’s time to get ready.

Q: Are you bothered by the criticism?

FT: You are doing your job. Only that.

Q: What can you say to convince us that the form you showed in your early days at Liverpool FC is still there?

FT: I’m 27. I don’t forget to score goals. I will score.

He will also be aware of comparisons being made to Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan), who arrived at Stamford Bridge for £30m in July 2006. He scored nine Pemier League goals and left on a free transfer three years later.

No one doubted Andriv Shevchenko’s (Ukraine), quality because of his previous achievements at AC Milan. But his transfer did not work out form some reason.

Finally, Andriy Shevchenko struggled in silence, but his teammates were publicly supportive. Then he lost his place, was on a loan and eventually allowed to re-join Dynamo Kiev with a year left on his contract.

Andre Villas-Boas claims the media are wrongly obsessed with the matter. But he has given no reason as to why he thinks Fernando Torres will prosper. As a manager famed for attention to detail, it is infeasible that the new boss does not care for individual performances.

In conclusion, Fernando Torres is aware of rumours trickling out of the United Kingdom and fiercely denied by Chelsea FC that have prompted speculation that their £50m winter purchase might never be the player he was because of injury problems suffered in recent seasons.