Other articles suggesting the problem is more mental than physical. http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7063551/Torres-The-First-Big-Test-For-Villas-Boas http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/engla...orres-problems-all-in-his-mind-the-psychology And more of a tactical analysis. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/apr/12/the-question-fernando-torres-chelsea
Interesting really, as if it is then I would view it as far more serious than overcoming a lack of mobility from injury. Btw...good thread, deserves it's article status...heard of some of the decent threads on your board but never ventured over
To get the best out of Nando isn't rocket science. The problem is that the team doesn't play to his strengths. We have little or no width and there is still a massive lack of pace. We need at least one fast wide player, a good attacking midfielder and creative midfielder. I think that Studge would be a good choice at the front of a midfield 5, linking up with Torres when we have possession. Bring in Modric as the creative player and another player, whoever that is, as a wide player. Cech Ivanovic Alex Terry Cole Luiz Lampard Modric Malouda A N Other Sturridge Torres This would get him ticking again
Don't know about the width idea, he thrived with us in a narrow formation. He lead the line and worked the channels quite often scoring goals coming in from the edge of the area. He likes being the loan striker (Liverpool) or 2nd striker (Spain), Villa would lead the line and he would drop off and work the channels again. Changing the formation may be the key but Villas Boas likes a 4-3-3 and Torres does not suit that formation.
I'm not sure about the second striker business, he never looked overly happy to me in the Spain team. I think Torres needs to be sole striker and the team set up to feed him. I doubt he'll get that at Chelsea but we'll see. Oh, he needs to be loved as well
I reckon the player Chelsea need to get the best out of Torres is Luka Modric,but will mean dumping Drogba,a flat midfield 3 with Kalou/Anelka and Malouda flanking Torres.
Torres needs people around him and not alongside him...Anelka plays beautifully behind Torres, and with some width to complement the midfield the supply chain should be enough. Re Modric - He doesn't just supply the strikers, in fact his assist level last season demonstrates that he doesn't at all really. His main strength is being the hub of the team, everything goes through him and the pace and style of the whole of spurs play is dictated by him...it's amazing to watch. To be honest, as much as I would love to see him at Chelsea, we won't end up buying him and fair play to Spurs for digging in.
I think Jimmy Jones also scored more than him, so maybe he needs to change his statistical argument to "scored the most goals in the UK by anyone who`s first name is John".
Agree, he does play well for Spain but not at the level he played in his first season with us. Playing as the 2nd striker will work and he will play well but not 50 mill striker well.
I just feel that if we are going to persevere with him, and for £50m I think we probably will be, we need to look at something else. Or alternatively move him on.
Which brings me to my idea of Sturridge linking when we're in possesion. I don't buy into the notion that he can't play with anybody else cos he's a world class player. Same with Drogba. However it's more likely that they won't play together.
Another tactic to look at and feel free to correct me here. Chelsea play a pressing game winning the ball high up the park this again does not suit Torres as there is no room to run in behind and he doesn't want the ball to feet with his back to goal. Liverpool with Torres would concentrate on positioning when they lost the ball and win the ball back generally in their own half. This meant that the opposing back 4 would naturally push up leaving room behind, Gerrard would exploit this with through balls or long balls using Torres pace.
I agree with luvgonzo.Chelsea are not playing to Torres' strengths.We know this guy has pace,they need to use it.I agree that we need a more attacking minded midfielder like Gerrard was at Liverpool with Torres.I think Torres needs a Modric or a Pastore to play the ball over the top.This man doesnt lose his pace or edge in front of goal.He may be short of confidence but dont worry this man will come good.Thats only if we play to his strengths.
Luvgonzo is right. He also played on the shoulder on the last defender..this is his main strength.He has the ability to lose his marker.Thats why I said that having two flankers on either side would benefit him with him as the focal point.They could just necessarily just drop off slightly and it becomes a 4-3-2-1 formation and a 4-3-3 formation and a 4-5-1 formation when defending.
