Roman Raid: Chelsea Sets English Record In Bringing Torres To Stamford Bridge

While not identical, the two are practically interchangeable, but because each offers versatility we rarely see in strikers, there is little chance of a conflict. Both as comfortable in wide areas as they are in the middle. While not their ideal usage, both are as adept a dropping from the line into midfield. Both can play with their heads, though Drogba is certainly the more powerful. Both can out run people, though Torres may have the advantage there. Both can create and distribute for the others, only now, the “other” is a second striker who sits amongst the world’s five best at the position.

Chelsea has had to pay dearly for the pair’s promise, but consider that promise. Numerous times over the last three-and-a-half years, Torres has won or turned matches on his own, a description no less applicable to Didier Drogba. They’re two players that can take three points no matter how badly you’ve been outplayed, and to combine their efforts into one side gives Chelsea the opportunity to salve over a myriad of faults.

Hardly original, but still a rather depressing sight - fans so irrationally angry at a move that they’re willing to burn the club’s uniforms. Is an effigy next? What would happen if Torres failed his medical at Chelsea, or the move falls through in some other way? De-burning isn’t exactly possible, you know.

I get that transfers like this are emotional. I really do. But footballers come and footballers go, and you can’t expect someone to stay at one club forever, especially one that isn’t matching their ambitions or their price tag. In thirty years time, when Torres’ stay at Anfield is a distant legend, do you think anyone involved in this is going to be proud of themselves? Can we please have some perspective here?

Balague achieved a measure of undeserved notoriety last week when he broke the news Chelsea was in for Torres, with the most devoted of Reds supporters choosing to believe the respected Spanish journalist less reliable than a millionaire athlete’s loyalty. Balague having been proven right, he’s earned a certain credibility on all things Torres.

Additionally, the status just makes sense, and though the way the dominos have lined up hinted that Torres was waiting for Liverpool to secure Carroll, Balague’s tweet provides verification. Torres should soon get permission to go to London, and finalize one of the more remarkable series of events in recent winter window history. By the end of the day, Carroll should be in red, Torres should be in blue, with Newcastle cackling all the way to the bank.

What is a good thing: the prospect of Torres and Drogba being together beyond June. Drogba’s exit is not certain, and if Torres proves to be an effective foil for the Ivorian icon, Chelsea could keep the pair together into next season. If they do, the domino effect born from their Torres raid will prove to be a win-win-win, with all of Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea able to move forward.

Adam, the centrepiece of Blackpool’s exciting passing game, will not come cheap, and Ian Holloway has resisted numerous bids in the £4M range for the Scottish midfielder. However, with Adam handing in a transfer request, it looks as though an increased offer could pry him away from the Tangerines, although Liverpool may have to bid up to £10M for Blackpool to consider offloading their star player, transfer demand or no*.

If Liverpool really are preparing to spend Torres’ transfer fee immediately, they’ll have to have deals worked out with Blackpool and Villa in advance so that there’s enough time to get them pushed through if Torres does go to Stamford Bridge. It’s now clear that Torres is the key to the fortunes of more than just Liverpool and Chelsea - the question of whether he stays or goes may have a massive impact on teams all over the Premier League.

Perhaps, as Graham MacAree writes at We Ain’t Got No History (SB Nation’s Chelsea FC community blog), the difference is timing:

The final aside has been the most interesting part of this story. Throughout fall and winter Carlo Ancelotti has consistently intimated that his squad was fine. Perhaps that was just a way to keeping the ship on course, but let’s take the man at his word. Now comes this move and the feeling it’s being motivated by Roman Abramovich.

“You drive a hard bargain, sir.” And, handshake. Of course, the only problem is getting Anelka to agree to a return to Anfield, where he had a loan spell in 2002. “I can go to Liverpool, or I can stay in Champions League and a title race while collecting my huge paychecks?” Seems an easy enough decision.

And, they’re not so far apart.

Liverpool FC has confirmed that Fernando Torres has handed in a transfer request. They’ve also confirmed the request has been rejected, alluding to a commitment to club and fans Torres made when signing his contract at Anfield.

Per the club’s website:

Torres has nine goals in 23 league appearances this year from Liverpool, his fourth in north west England. Since moving from Atlético Madrid in 2007, El Niño’s scored 65 times in the English Premier League, posting an all-competitions total of 81 in 141 Liverpool appearances.

At 26-years-old, Torres has won a World Cup and European title with Spain. Individually, Torres has twice been named to the Professional Footballers Association XI of the Year, also making two appearances in the FIFPro World XI. In 2007-08, he was named Liverpool player of the season.

There was wide speculation that Fernando Torres was only asking to leave Liverpool over concerns that the squad was not being strengthened, and that the signing of Luis Suarez from Ajax would appease him. Hours after the Suarez deal was made official, the grumblings that Torres wants to leave Merseyside behind for Chelsea FC have not halted, but instead intensified. Speculation is ripe that Torres is still keen to join Chelsea, and that Chelsea are willing to up their bid.

Reports are coming in that Daniel Sturridge + £40m is Chelsea’s new offer, as Graham MacAree at We Ain’t Got No History discusses:

Now things have gotten much more serious. The Guardian reports that Fernando Torres, stopping just short of handing in a formal transfer request, has asked Liverpool to talk to Chelsea, hinting that the striker known for his loyalty - both to Atlético Madrid and Anfield - may have had enough. While Liverpool is said to have rejected the Blues’ initial £35 million bid, they have not been able to prevent the striker’s head from being turned.

Hopefully, there’s a lot more to this Torres story on the way, but even if there isn’t, it’s funny how wild rumors and speculation about a Torres transfer still have more substance than the “Guardian exclusive.”

For more on Chelsea, visit SBNation’s Chelsea blog, We Ain’t Got No History.