This Isn’t A Loréal Ad-- Not Everyone Is Worth It

Following a disappointing year-long stint at Chelsea FC, the Daily Mail is reporting that the Blues are putting Fernando Torres up for transfer this January. His price tag, £20m, is well below his original purchase price (£50m) last year, but according to the original report, Chelsea have exhausted all other possible options.

The main question that comes to mind after having heard this rumor is whether or not Torres is even worth the sticker price. He hasn’t looked on form in the entire time that he’s been back from injury, even before he moved to Stamford Bridge.

After seeing the freefall in form, would any club in the PL want to risk his price tag + wages? The race for the Premiership is so open, despite Manchester City’s dominance, that most clubs are not (and should not) be willing to take the time to rehabilitate him. From this campaign, it has become abundantly clear that Torres needs rehabilitation. At this point, it’s not necessarily a physical aspect, but rather, the psychological and emotional aspect.

Since the move, he’s dropped to third choice, and has only scored 4 goals this season. That has to take a massive toll on an ego like Torres’. After he was dropped from the starting line-up during the 2010 World Cup, Liverpool fans made excuses for poor form, claiming he wasn’t 100% (big thanks to my friends @smallaffair and @inspirera_ on Twitter for their insight). Through all of the rumors of him wanting to leave, many fans believed in him, right up until the move. Torres must have expected similar affection right from the get-go.

His first couple of games for Chelsea demonstrated he had the potential to score, which would coincide with his boost in confidence at receiving initial support from Chelsea fans. However, at Chelsea, Torres had a massive point to prove. As weeks passed and he failed to score, it became clear that disillusionment had set in among supporters and in his own mind.

If he leaves Chelsea for another title-challenging English Premier League side, I doubt that Fernando would be able to pick himself up. This, to be quite honest, is his lowest point. I really can’t see the title-challengers taking the risk of rehabilitating his ego and form. Being midway through the season means there’s far more at stake for the top sides than there would be if Chelsea were to wait until the summer.

My suggestion for the club for this transfer season would be to try and get interest from sides outside of the EPL. Ligue has proven to be an excellent move for out-of-favor Joe Cole, and could be the answer for the Torres issue as well. Cole, on loan to Lille from Liverpool, has become a major talent for the defending Champions and they are allegedly interested in signing a permanent deal.

If enough attention can’t be garnered to send him off in January, Chelsea need to suck it up and try again in the summer. 

written by Jennifer Rivera