OFFICIAL: Fernando Torres to AC Milan on 2 Year Loan
Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
It’s official. The saga of Fernando Torres at Chelsea FC has concluded. The 30 year old Spanish striker has been sent on a 2 year, contract ending loan to Italian side AC Milan.
Throughout his tenure at Chelsea FC, Fernando Torres enjoyed many successes as part of the squad, however on a personal performance level he was often less than stellar.
Following a £50M transfer from Liverpool, Fernando found it hard to break into the Chelsea first team. Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka were the first choice strikers, and after the departure of Anelka Drogba still maintained a high level of form, earning the starting nod more often than not.
After the hiring of Andre Villas-Boas, Fernando Torres was the de facto starting striker, but the side had not changed to suit the player’s skill set. Chelsea still maintained a possession style in which Fernando had to play as a lone striker with his back to the goal and playing in front of the defense.
Despite AVBs intention to reform the side, the lack of results forced the club to adapt it’s more preferred style, especially after the sacking of AVB and the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo. Chelsea played possession and a counter attacking style, neither of which was exactly suited for Fernando Torres.
Despite scoring that goal to guarantee us a spot in the 2011/12 Champions League Final, Torres had very few meaningful goals for the club. He would often get into a good streak of form only to lose it with a bad miss or through injury/suspension. His confidence was shot, and his finishing suffered.
I am personally very happy that Fernando Torres will be able to continue his career at a top level club. The Italian league is not known for its physical defenses, nor its defensive acumen. Fernando should be able to revive his career in Milan, and I wish him all the best. It’s still my hope that, following a spell at Milan, he will be able to return to Atletico Madrid, his hometown club, and end his career where it began.
Fernando, we wish you all the best. I’m truly sorry it did not work out at Stamford Bridge, but I wish you all the best at the San Siro. You’ll always be one of my favorite players, and I hope you bang in 20 goals a season for i Rossoneri.
UTC!
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