Chelsea Transfer Rumors: 5 Realistic Replacements for Fernando Torres

Let's face it: Fernando Torres' Chelsea career is all but over. Many strikers in the Premier League produce skills week in week out from the sublime to the ridiculous—the Chelsea front-man has unfortunately just been ridiculous.

So let's stop waiting for the 27-year-old to 'come good' because it's not going to happen. How long does one have to wait for a 50 million pound man to score a goal?

Did Roman Abramovich buy him for the future? No.

Would Chelsea sell him back to Liverpool for half the fee? Absolutely.

The Chairman has not become a successful multi-billionaire through goodwill and patience. If a problem is encountered, it is fixed—and quickly. That could mean an exit as early as this month.

Ask Carlo Ancelotti what happens if things aren't working.

Fernando Torres is as good as gone—but who will replace him and spearhead a new assault on Premier and Champions League glory?

Here are five realistic candidates... 

5) David Villa: Barcelona

His national striking partner could well be the man to replace him at club level, Villa would be an excellent match at Stamford Bridge.

Yes, Torres was brilliant for a season at Anfield, but this man is tried and tested on the biggest stage of them all. 

One of the first names on the team sheet for his country, David Villa knows what it's like to win.

Whether that be in the World Cup, Champions League, Copa del Rey or La Liga...it doesn't matter.

Yes, he has the opportunity to play in magnificent sides, but the 30-year-old makes those teams significantly stronger.

He's a born winner and has a ruthless streak that is distinctly lacking at Chelsea this season.

Currently injured until April, he may well be available at a cut-price fee which could see Torres potentially head in the opposite direction.

4) Carlos Tevez: Manchester City

This may be one from right field, but if you look at the potential people involved, it's not inconceivable that this deal could happen.

Tevez will never play for Manchester City again—fact. Paris St. Germain and Inter Milan have already ruled themselves out of the running to sign the Argentinean, with AC Milan expected to follow suit.

That doesn't leave too many more options and with Chelsea desperate for goals and willing to meet potential transfer fees and wage demands, don't be surprised if a move is made as early as this month.

The striker has made no secret of his dislike of Manchester, but London could well offer a different location that team Tevez would be willing to settle.

3) Emanuel Adebayor: On Loan at Tottenham from Man City

A revelation this season with Spurs, Adebayor has been a huge part of the resurgence in North London.

Goals, assists and general teamwork have made the Togo star almost unrecognisable from the unsettled Manchester City player who was loaned out to Real Madrid.

Only on loan to Spurs, Harry Redknapp has openly admitted they cannot afford to keep the 27-year-old at the club beyond this season.

Step up Chelsea as the perfect solution. Adebayor clearly loves London from his time at Arsenal and now Tottenham, leading many to think a third London club could well be on the horizon next season. 

2) Demba Ba: Newcastle United

Quite sensational for Newcastle this season, Ba has become one of the best strikers in the Premier League and looks to be improving game by game under Alan Pardew.

However, Newcastle have one big problem, a highly publicised buy-out clause written into the Senegalese player's contract.

Of course, Ba has had nothing but words of happiness for his current surroundings  but if a club like Chelsea came calling with the promise of Champions League football and a huge salary increase, it would be very difficult to turn down.

Newcastle wouldn't have too much say in the matter, and it's not as if they haven't let big players go in the past...remember a certain Andy Carroll last January?

Add to that the new addition of Demba Cisse and the Magpies could potentially cope with the loss. 

1) FERNANDO TORRES: CHELSEA!

Okay, so maybe I was a touch harsh on Torres earlier.

But if (and it's a big IF) he can somehow find the form that made him one of the most feared strikers in World football—it would be like a new signing for Chelsea!

Lesser names would have already been written off as a disaster buy, but Torres is still getting his chance, and with Drogba still away at the African Cup of Nations, the Spaniard still has hope.

The honeymoon period was over a long time ago—it's now down to you Mr. Torres. Shape up or ship out!