Fernando Torres is having the blues with Chelsea in the Premier League and his inclusion in Spain's Euro 2012 squad is in serious doubt after http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 del Bosque showed concern over his form. Would he still make the final cut?
January, 2011. Expectations were huge. 50 million pounds is a huge sum after all. Many, including the player himself, blamed it on Liverpool's weak midfield - in continued absence of captain fantastic http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Gerrard-c34196 - and their inability to spend in the transfer market.
Mr. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 are yet to see any return on the Abramovich's millions they have invested.
It was clear from the off that Torres was not one of Carlo Ancelotti's buys, but the Italian tactician went ahead with the plan anyways. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044 was marginalised, and the Spaniard was given the centre forward's role that he cherishes. No results.
New team, new surroundings; he will take time to adjust, many said. Their fingers crossed, the Chelsea faithful hoped for it to be true. However, their wishes are as close to fulfillment as they were a year ago; 3 league goals in 28 appearances would not make any striker proud, not even http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emile-Heskey-c12468.
His confidence is all but gone. Choosing to take that extra touch or pass when presented with half a goal scoring chance is the hallmark of a striker severely lacking in confidence: Fernando Torres.
And he can't even blame it on poor midfield or the lack of support. Young http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Sturridge-c10076, for all his inexperience, has already scored 9 goals from a wing position. Needless to say, the pretty boy of English football needs to sort out his act, and quick, because it won't be long before Andre Villas-Boas slaps a 'SALE, 50% off' tag on his face.
Time to talk international football now. Spaniards are blessed - thanks largely to Barcelona's famed La Masia academy - with talent across the pitch. While it's safe to assume that La Roja's B team would be a midfield match for any international team in the world, they haven't been all that lucky in the forward block. We are talking about http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Villa's season ending injury, of course.
In the past 4 years, things haven't gone as planned for the Red Fury - that's a bold statement to make, considering their Euro and World Cup triumphs. Their attacking talent hasn't developed as well as their midfield.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Llorente-c13671 is yet to test his credentials with a Champions League playing side.
Going into the tournament, Del Bosuqe has in-form http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032.
While Torres' form hardly justifies his inclusion in the starting eleven, Villa's injury means Del Bosuque simply can't risk keeping the talented former Atletico Madrid star back home.
Torres, barring extraordinary events, would board the plane in the summers, and he has his luck to thank for, or the lack of it on Villa's side.
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