Chelsea FC: Why It Is Do or Die for Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres was once one of the most feared and revered strikers in the entire world. His pace, strength and eye for goal were unmatched and he proceeded to place himself into Spanish folklore by bagging the winning goal in the final of Euro 2008.

Oh how nagging injuries and a few short years can change a man.

The Fernando Torres of today can’t even stand in the shadow of the Fernando Torres of just two years ago. Brimming with confidence, El Nino was producing for both his club and country and experiencing life atop the footballing world.

Torres began succumbing to injuries that kept him out of action for extended periods of time. Once he was able to seemingly recover from such injuries though, it didn’t last long and Torres was once again glued to the trainers table.

While suffering threatening injuries could do a number to one’s confidence, when Torres was able to play during these periods he showed glimpses of rediscovering his form. These glimpses kept pundits satisfied and kept the faith in his club and national team coaches.

The striker again fell to ill-luck as the same injuries plagued his form, causing the striker to face drastic decisions and feelings regarding his future. How is he supposed to stay relevant in the minds of his club and country if he isn’t on the field or performing at his best?

With minutes to spare last January, El Nino acted on those feelings.

Making a record-breaking move, Fernando Torres joined Chelsea; and along with a hefty price tag, he brought over massive pressure and expectations to the London club.

Roman Abramovich shelled out the cash, and he was expecting Torres to produce. While playing for Liverpool, Torres often ran rampant against the Chelsea back line, and knowing that Abramovich was convinced to shatter records to bring the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge.

El Nino was hoping this change of scenery would bring better fortune. With new teammates, coaches and even physios at his disposal, things would surely change for the striker.

If you haven’t noticed a trend yet, things did not change.

Not only did Torres look complacent, out of sync and unfit, he began to regress with his attitude and often found himself lost in games.

He was given plenty of starts and opportunities to play, yet Torres was not producing. It took him 732 minutes to break the duck, but it was unconvincing nonetheless.

Today El Nino is looking at the new season with a fresh approach. After showing signs of life in preseason and during the first league game, he is yet to get off the mark and find the back of the net, further implanting fear in Chelsea supporters.

On the national level, Torres is an afterthought; he has seen Juan Mata, David Villa and even Alvaro Negredo become constant fixtures within the national team as he slides further and further down the bench.

This season will be crucial for the World Cup winner. Certainly at a career crossroad, if El Nino doesn’t find his form (and the back of the net) quickly, he will be most likely seal an unfortunate fate with club and country.

Plenty of experts feel they have the right advice for the troubled striker, but without really being in the position Torres is in, it is hard to really formulate an answer

I feel Torres needs to get back to playing free-flowing football, without all the pressure positioned on his back. Football is a game, one that is played by children and amateurs across the globe.

If Torres remembers why he is playing the game of football, the pressures of money, goals and success become secondary.

People in his position are some of the most fortunate in the entire world, as they get paid inordinate amounts of money to play a game they love. Not to mention the fame, glory and accolades one can receive are also very alluring.

Torres has a beautiful wife, two healthy kids and not a trouble in the world to be quite honest. Of course as a professional he wants to be as competitive as possible every time he takes the pitch, but what does he really have to prove?

The man has won a World Cup, a Euro Title and became the highest scoring debut foreigner in the Premier League. Sans a league title, the Spaniard has plenty of accomplishments to boast about.

Taking the edge off the whole situation would allow Torres to get back to playing and competing at the highest level. If El Nino wants to stay in the picture with the Spanish national team, it all starts with his from at Chelsea.