METRO – Fernando Torres’ wages too expensive for Fiorentina switch

Italian side Fiorentina have distanced themselves from a move for Chelsea’s Fernando Torres, saying they would not be able to afford his wages.

A news article on 2013-04-26 15:03:00 from: The Metro

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ECHO – Liverpool FC News: Liverpool FC 2 Chelsea 2 – LFC fans’ player ratings (GALLERY)

LIVERPOOL FC’S fightback against Chelsea was overshadowed by the Luis Suarez incident, but there were still plenty of performances for Reds fans to shout about.

A news article on 2013-04-22 13:30:00 from: Liverpool Echo

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GUARDIAN – Luis Suárez is both villain and hero as Liverpool draw with Chelsea

Luis Suárez salvaged a point for Liverpool in the 97th minute of Rafael Benitez’s return to Anfield to leave Chelsea seething and fourth in the Premier League table. It may well prove Suárez’s final act of the season after he again showed his appetite for controversy by sinking his teeth into Branislav Ivanovic.

The Liverpool striker, supposedly a favourite for the PFA Player of the Year award according to his manager, Brendan Rodgers, bit the Chelsea defender on the bicep as the pair challenged for the ball in front of the Kop on 66 minutes. Suárez left Dutch football in disgrace after receiving a seven-match ban for biting Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax against PSV Eindhoven in November 2010.

Another lengthy suspension surely awaits the Uruguay international who, almost inevitably when he should have been off the pitch, headed Daniel Sturridge’s cross beyond Petr Cech with the final touch of a fractious game to dent Chelsea’s hopes of reclaiming third spot.

Benítez was not the only subject of an Anfield tribute. Anne Williams, the inspirational Hillsborough campaigner who died on Thursday, three days after defying doctor’s orders to attend the 24th memorial service, and the victims of the Boston marathon bombing were honoured with a minute’s ovation before kick off. ‘RIP Anne You’ll Never Walk Alone’ read the banner along the front of the Kop.

Amid the shows of respect were predictable Kop jeers for Fernando Torres whenever the former Liverpool striker touched the ball or left his mark on their central defence. Daniel Agger landed awkwardly after a nudge from the Chelsea forward in the second minute, and was fortunate his left knee did not buckle, while Jamie Carragher received a flailing arm in the face when challenging for a high ball. Torres received a yellow card and, later on, a little retribution on the back of his calf.

Liverpool, despite a promising start, appeared preoccupied with the Benítez sideshow in the first half and their distribution, movement and solidity paled in comparison with that from Chelsea. The midfield contest was not worthy of the name as Ramires and Mikel John Obi intercepted and protected relentlessly while Oscar, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard bypassed Liverpool with ease. Carelessness in possession, with Jordan Henderson a frequent culprit, increased Anfield’s irritation.

It was a surprise Chelsea led by only one set-piece goal by the interval. Oscar sent a glancing header beyond Pepe Reina’s left hand from Mata’s corner having escaped the attentions of both Agger, his initial marker, and Carragher, the defender covering the edge of the six-yard box. Reina almost compounded Liverpool’s defensive brittleness when he dropped a David Luiz free-kick behind him, only to gather in front of the line.

Liverpool threatened only sporadically, Suárez forcing a routine save from Cech at the near post, and it was only after Sturridge replaced the anonymous Philippe Coutinho at the interval that Rodgers’ team hauled themselves back into contention.

Sturridge was a man on a mission, creating a glorious chance for Steven Gerrard seconds after his introduction that Cech saved with his leg and then hitting the post with a venomous drive moments later. His inevitable goal arrived seven minutes after his introduction when he volleyed home from close range following a flowing Liverpool move involving Carragher, Stewart Downing and finally a wonderful chip over the Chelsea defence from Suárez.

The Uruguay international’s afternoon, however, soon nose-dived. Three minutes later Suárez handled Mata’s corner and denied Torres a header at the back post. The referee, Kevin Friend, had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Hazard sent Reina the wrong way following a lengthy delay due to the usual arguments.

For reasons known only to himself Suárez then sank his teeth into Ivanovic as the pair tussled in front of the Kop. He may have then scored the last-gasp equaliser, but another stain on the Liverpool striker’s character and a lengthy ban will surely follow.


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A news article on 2013-04-21 17:12:00 from: The Guardian

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GOAL – Liverpool – Chelsea Preview: Torres seeks his first league goal of 2013 on Anfield return

In a game which the Blues will be searching for their third away win of the year, the Spaniard returns to his old home for only the second time since his £50 million move away

A news article on 2013-04-19 08:32:00 from: Goal

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ECHO – Liverpool FC News: Luis Suarez hopes for south coast repeat when Liverpool FC face Southampton

LUIS SUAREZ is one goal away from becoming the first Liverpool player to score 30 goals in a season in all competitions since Fernando Torres in 2007/08.

A news article on 2013-03-16 00:00:00 from: Liverpool Echo

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GOAL – Torres must regret Chelsea move, claims Liverpool captain Gerrard

The Spain striker’s £50 million move to Stamford Bridge has not gone to plan and the Anfield skipper says his former team-mate is struggling due to a lack of love from the Blues

A news article on 2013-01-20 13:25:00 from: Goal

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GOAL – Benitez brushes off Torres criticism after Swansea defeat

The Blues boss argues that it is the responsibility of the team as a whole to create and score chances, and insists he is pleased with the way his players performed

A news article on 2013-01-09 23:24:00 from: Goal

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METRO – Rafael Benitez hails ‘confident’ Torres after Chelsea win at Sunderland

Fernando Torres scored his second brace in as many games as Chelsea saw off Sunderland (Picture: AP) Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez has heaped praise on Fernando Torres after the striker’s brace helped seal a win against Sunderland. Torres followed his two goals against Nordsjaelland on Wednesday with another two at the Stadium of Light, with compatriot Juan Mata netting a third to give the Blues a long-awaited Premier League victory. And Benitez was quick to praise the Spanish striker, citing an increased self-belief as the reason for his upturn in fortune. ‘I said before that if the team play well and create chances he will score goals,’ said Benitez. ‘It’s fair to say that we are watching a Torres with more confidence and belief. ‘I was analysing his movements and adjusting a few things. ‘It’s a question of confidence and differences in movements. The most important thing is that he appears confident.’ But the former Inter Milan boss was also keen to state his pleasure at the performance of the team as a whole. ‘Today the team played well, especially in the first half,’ he added. ‘We had to change the shape after Oriol [Romeu] went off. Sunderland were pushing and pushing, but we showed the quality and character we have.’ Chelsea now travel to Japan to compete in the Fifa Club World Cup and Benitez said the tournament presents a great opportunity to bring a first trophy of the season back to Stamford Bridge. ‘It’s important to have an opportunity to win any trophy, but especially this one,’ he said. ‘It was a great experience for me and I hope it will be for my players. I got to the final in 2005 [with Liverpool] and won the tournament in 2010 [with Inter Milan].’ Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea – Premier League Chelsea’s Spanish forward Fernando Torre

A news article on 2012-12-08 19:24:00 from: The Metro

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METRO – Fernando Torres: I had to ditch Liverpool to realise trophy ambition with Chelsea

Misfiring Chelsea striker Fernando Torres says he made the move to Stamford Bridge because former club Liverpool were no longer capable of winning trophies. Frustration: Fernando Torres has struggled for form at Chelsea (Picture: Reuters) Torres, who moved to Chelsea in January 2011, became the most expensive player in British football history after completing the £50million switch from Liverpool. The move came at a time when Torres was struggling for form at Anfield – something that has replicated after moving south, with the Spaniard managing just 11 goals in 61 league appearances for the Blues. However, despite his poor form and increased frustration from the club’s supporters, Torres is happy at Chelsea. Champion: Torres has won the Champions League at Chelsea (Picture: Getty) Indeed, while the 28-year-old’s time in west London has not been fruitful on a personal level, it has for the team as a whole, and Torres admits he only moved to Chelsea because former club Liverpool had lost their ability to challenge for trophies. ‘One of the main reasons to come to Chelsea was that they are always aiming for trophies,’ Torres told the Evening Standard. ‘I needed to win trophies because they are what you have after you have finished your career.’ ‘In my first full season we won the FA Cup and Champions League, what more can you ask? We have a chance now to win the FIFA Club World Cup.’ Torres has increasingly been linked with a transfer away from Chelsea, but is expected to remain at the club for the foreseeable future, given that owner Roman Abramovich is such a huge fan. Abramovich is said to have finally sacked Roberto Di Matteo over his refusal to field Torres, and the striker himself is firmly focused on the future. ‘I have four more years on my contract so hopefully I can win many more things — the Premier League would be amazing. The Capital One Cup and the Community Shield also.’

A news article on 2012-12-04 13:15:00 from: The Metro

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METRO – Juan Mata gives Chelsea 1-0 lead at West Ham

Juan Mata gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead at West Ham after Fernando Torres cut the ball back from a wide position. Juan Mata returns for Chelsea’s game against West Ham (Picture: Reuters) Chelsea interim coach Rafa Benitez had dropped another of his creative players for the second game in a row after opting to start with Victor Moses alongside Juan Mata and Eden Hazard instead of Oscar at West Ham.Benitez was criticised after he left Mata out of the team that drew 0-0 with Fulham in midweek but he is unlikely to receive the same level of disapproval for dropping the Brazilian, who is seen as less influential.The Spanish manager is already under pressure following consecutive goalless draws at home against Manchester City and the Cottagers, but has decided to stick with an otherwise familiar line-up. John Obi Mikel returned in place of Oriel Romeu and Gary Cahill deputised for the suspended David Luiz in the two other changes to his team.West Ham were without on-loan striker Andy Carroll, with the Liverpool man facing a lengthy six- to eight-week spell on the sidelines through injury.In his absence, former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole lead the line for the Hammers. TEAMS West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O’Brien, Tomkins, Noble, O’Neil, Nolan, Jarvis, Cole. Subs: Spiegel, Taylor, Diame, Maiga, Spence, Fanimo, Moncur. Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Moses, Hazard, Mata, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Romeu, Oscar, Marin, Piazon. Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

A news article on 2012-12-01 12:31:00 from: The Metro

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