Reasons Why Fernando Torres Will Not Play for Chelsea Again
He may be on loan at AC Milan, but Fernando Torres is still officially a Chelsea player.
Does that mean there is the chance he will play for the Blues again? It's unlikely.
Torres' two-year loan deal with the Serie A giants takes him to the end of his five-and-a-half year deal at Stamford Bridge meaning, come the summer of 2016, the Spaniard will be a free agent.
Chelsea—and most likely the player—are unlikely to attempt a contract renewal in the meantime, leaving Torres free to find another club when the time comes.
That likely scenario means his days at Stamford Bridge are all but over.
Leaving the business of contracts aside for a moment, there are plenty more reasons why Torres no longer has a future in west London.
Bleacher Report looks at five of them.
Diego Costa
1 of 5
Nine goals in seven Premier League starts, Diego Costa is hot news right now.
Indeed, if his goalscoring form continues, there is the very real possibility he will take on God-like status at Stamford Bridge, if he hasn't already.
"Diego Costa: Christ, Our Saviour," banners will adorn the terraces. "Jesus Walks Again," "The Second Coming."
You get the picture.
Diego Costa is looking like the man to deliver titles to Chelsea once more and when that happens, football fans love nothing more than a biblical reference.
How can Fernando Torres compete with that?
He can't.
Goals
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Fernando Torres was signed by Chelsea for £50 million to be a goalscorer.
Despite his efforts, he never was that man.
The Spaniard's form at Liverpool was that of a world-class striker, tormenting defences and more often than not, finding the back of the net.
At Chelsea, he cut a lonely figure, one low on confidence and unable to free himself of the considerable shadow cast by Didier Drogba.
Indeed, it took Torres 15 Chelsea appearances before he opened his account.
That didn't open the floodgates, though.
Only 45 more goals followed over the next three years which, for a player of his standing and salary, was never going to be good enough.
Torres' best years are behind him and it's difficult to imagine he will ever be his prolific best again.
Financial Fair Play
3 of 5
Chelsea are trying to play by the rules these days, giving plenty of attention and focus to UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
The Blues have cleared the dressing room of their high earners who were riding out inflated contracts from the glory days, replacing them with younger players on more efficient salaries.
The likes of Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are long gone and Fernando Torres is another considerable earner off the books.
Chelsea are still contributing to his wages while he is on loan at AC Milan, but whatever they are paying, it will be significantly lower than the £175,000-per-week he would have earned to warm the bench at Stamford Bridge.
In the next two years, for that reason alone, Chelsea will resist the urge for a potential recall.
He Carries Too Much Baggage at Chelsea...
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What are the headlines surrounding Chelsea these days?
That's right, they're dominated by Diego Costa and the goals he is scoring. Everything, on the surface at least, is positive.
When Fernando Torres was a Chelsea player, the baggage of his £50 million move from Liverpool followed the player and club everywhere.
If he was selected and didn't score, the questions were about the decision to play him and whether or not he was worth that record fee.
If Torres was benched, Jose Mourinho was often asked why he wasn't playing.
Even when Torres found some form in front of goal, the stop watches were out to time how long his latest resurgence would last.
Neither the Spaniard or Chelsea could win. It was always negative.
It had a significant impact on Torres, but what about his teammates?
That factor would be difficult to measure, although with him out of the picture, everything is brighter on that front at least.
...and Has Found the Right Club in AC MIlan
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When looking at Fernando Torres' future at Chelsea, it's easy to focus on the club and the many reasons why the Blues may not want him back at Stamford Bridge.
What about the player? It would be foolish to think he may want a return to west London himself.
AC Milan are a giant of the European game. The Rossoneri have an incredible history that many others can't rival and they come with a name that commands a huge appeal.
Only these days, Milan are trading on their past. A once great team is depleted and under Filippo Inzaghi, they are trying to re-establish themselves in Serie A.
They are rebuilding at the same time Torres is attempting to rejuvenate his career.
Not much is expected of Milan these days and in turn, football fans aren't expecting too much from Torres.
After three-and-a-half years under the scrutiny a £50 million transfer fee brings, the pressure is suddenly off.
And it's showing.
Torres looks happier in Italy than he was at Chelsea and he is back among the goals. OK, he's scored just the once in four appearances, but right now that's far better than in his early days at Chelsea.
He has momentum.
After everything he has been through, Torres deserves the opportunity Milan have given him.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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