Torres to Chelsea

Adam-Utd

And soldado repaid the faith by banging a hattrick.

Just shows how big names should not be relied upon through reputation alone.

Wish england would take a leaf out of that book!

Neutral

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres was the butt of a joke at Didier Drogba's Foundation charity ball when the winner of a training session with the Ivorian offered to give it to the goal-shy Spanish striker.

Drogba didn't react to the joker who had paid £15,000 for the privilege to train with the 34-year-old striker and, thankfully for Torres, the Spaniard was not there to hear the jibe.

The man was on stage to collect the prize when he made the quip. 'I'm giving this to Fernando Torres,' he said.

Immediately the room erupted into laughter but Drogba remained stoney faced, aware any reaction could potentially cause a problem in the Chelsea dressing room.

RedLars

Can't believe he paid £15,000 just to make that joke Quality!

Pexbo

That's a brilliant joke but fair play to Drogba, he knows how much it could have effected an already short of confidence team mate had he found out his own team were laughing at him.

He's a sullen sulky bugger when it comes to Football, but as a person I've heard fantastic things about Drogba and the work he has done in the Ivory Coast. He's clearly a very caring individual.

JazzG

They say when it rains it pours and for him it is pouring down right now! His confidence right now is rock bottom and when you don't have confidence in your own ability even the most simple things become difficult.

kouroux

Great professionalism from Drogba (if it's true).

Neutral

^ it's true...the event raised 250k

Winner of Drogba charity training session offers to donate it to Torres | Metro.co.uk

Team Brian GB

I think Fernando Torres has basically become the Nick Clegg of football.

peterstorey

Nick Clegg is a far bigger joke and Torres can still redeem himself, whereas Clegg has consigned himself and his team to the dustbin.

SteveJ

Not to mention that Clegg's a lot cheaper than Torres.

peterstorey

Well while Clegg can be bought for nothing, the eventual bill to be picked up will be more than £1 per person.

Guy Incognito

Torres is a brown noser?

cesc's_mullet

Well at least he's going to erase the memory of Schevchenko for the Chelsea supporters. I wonder if he'll make Spain's Euro squad? What with Villa supposedly being fit in time, Llorente and Soldado in good form he might be hard pressed to find a spot in the squad now.



Fun fact: Vermaelen's played 19 games and scored 4 goals. Torres has played 22 and scored 2...

Feed Me

There's something deeply unsettling about Torres's malaise.

He's been a remarkable player in the past and it'd be such a shame if that was him done now.

I still hope he can pull himself together.

Ish84045

Drogba, a complete tosser (but great entertainment value nonetheless) on the field, but what a gent he is off it.

Torres definitely needs Benitez or definitely Mourinho - someone he trusts and who can instill that belief/confidence in him again, to get the best out of him.

Gio

That said Del Bosque stuck with him far longer than his performances deserved. No doubt in the hope that he'd recapture his early Liverpool form.

holyland red

I'll start believing that when he scores against City. Still a Torres winner would be even better for the added value of scouse reaction.

Chabon

I think it's just something about playing in the premier league/for Chelsea. In the Nations Cup final, probably as big a game to Drogba as any in his career, the Zambian keeper carried the ball out of the box with Drogba right next to him. Drogba had a laugh with the keeper about him getting away with it, and then jogged back up the field smiling. If Szczeny does that in the game at the Emirates in a few weeks you'd have to imagine Drogba's reaction will be quite different.

Cheesy

Perhaps, but I think Del Bosque was right to at least keep him in the squad for a while in case he regained form. At least he's been able to finally drop him.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

I have a feeling he will score tonight

Cheesy

I know where you're coming from, but I have an equally strong feeling that he'll miss a gaping chance to score, sealing Chelsea's exit from the competition. It would really sum up his career there.

SATA

He can save his goal or goals for the game at COMS next week if he's ever going to score again

Donut

Will they even start a player who hasn't scored in months in a game where they need to score at least 2?

edit: He's on the bench.

Ish84045

That's sometimes a bit of a double edged sword though because a ton of players just look like they're going through the motions playing for their country, like they can't be arsed! (I'm not saying Drogba is one of them, and one can blame AFCON for scheduling the tourny at a stupid time, but still, if you don't want to be there, just quit international football).

On topic of Drogba though, other than some comical clashes with Lehman, I can't really recall him ever being a dirty cnut. Dive, cheat yeah. Never really dirty though.

Well let's not derail the Torres thread.

vuc

Based on what?

He was closing down everything Tevez style last night, making the runs at the defenders.

vuc

Based on what?

He was closing everything down Tevez style, running himself into the ground.

vuc

Based on what?

He was closing everything down Tevez style, running himself into the ground.

Broyphs

A few times he turned last night and chased down a ball that he would have easily gotten to a few years ago. Now he isn't even in with a chance. He's a busted flush. Even if there's still a brilliant technical footballer in there his body's letting him down.

Cling Bak

He's now gone about 25 hours without scoring, on his latest run. 20 minutes at the end against City won't be enough, he's not even getting into positions for chances anymore.

The next time he does score though, we'll be reminded he's back and this is just what he needed etc. The backing he still gets is actually a bit bizarre, perhaps because he's been based in England so long. Two years he's been shit for.

vuc

He's been playing better and better lately, the goal is sure to come soon.

Pogue Mahone

He looks like he hates playing football. Unless he change that attitude (most likely by changing club) I don't see him regaining his form any time soon.

vuc

How so?

He was chasing everything down last night like Tevez.

Pexbo

To me he looks like his legs have gone, which is crazy for someone as young as him.

He's lost 2 yards of pace and that is what his whole game was based on, getting ahead of his man, whether is with the ball or to get to the ball. He looks like he hasn't got a clue how to adjust to it either.

JayWalker

The most dramatic decline in recent memory. I agree with Pogue in a way. His body language doesn't suggest that he's happy at Chelsea. In fact, it looks worse with every game.

Pogue Mahone

His arse looked really fat in one of the replays last night. Wouldn't be surprised if he's so unhappy about life at Chelsea he's let himself get out of shape. Which would explain the loss of pace.

I reckon he'd be a brilliant signing for another club. Too young not to get his shit together at some point. Badly needs a fresh start though.

JayWalker

Yep, I think he needs to go back to Spain. He might just sort himself out there.

amolbhatia100

Given the way the Chelsea team is run it wouldn't be a surprise if he was miserable with life at Chelsea.

Broyphs

If he goes to Malaga he'd be paid well and have a team built around him.

JayWalker

Yeah, exactly plus they might be the only team in Spain after Madrid and Barca who could afford him and both of them don't particularly need his services.

Broyphs

I don't think either of the big two would have a punt on him at this stage. Maybe if they could get him on loan, or something, but even then I'd say they'd pass.