With 0 league goals so far this season, Fernando Torres that his scoring record since becoming a Chelsea player is a constant source of disappointment, and that as a striker his production levels are simply unacceptable.
Torres has been part of a striking crew that has yet to score a single league goal this season, which is simply a continuity to his Chelsea career, especially in Premier League matches, since making that notorious £50 million switch from Liverpool in 2011.
He has scored only 15 goals in 87 Premier League matches for Chelsea, although his record in Europe and other competitions has been less awkward, with 21 goals in 52 matches. He had a relatively strong 2012-2013 season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions, but for someone like Torres, that should be the absolute minimum.
The people are looking at me thinking I should do much better and it’s true. The reason you pay that money for someone is that he has shown in the past he is worth that. Now what you have to show is you can have the same value or even more value for things you have done at Chelsea. I know I have many things to do at this club to give the confidence back to the owner. The amount of goals I scored last season should be the minimum. I want to ask that of myself but I have enough time. I signed a five-and-a-half year contract and I’m sure the future can only be better.
He has been involved in two European titles with the club, so it’s hard to say it’s been a complete failure. He scored a goal against Barcelona in the 2012 Champions League semifinal second leg, and the opener against Benfica in the 2013 Europa League final. He’s been present in certain big moments for the club, but Chelsea’s lack of success in the Premier League compared to the past in recent years coincides with Torres being branded as one huge failure since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea do pose a problem for strikers to stand out, as Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba haven’t been very successful as well. There’s a huge emphasis on giving attacking midfielders most of the shots at goal, as strikers often move to the wings in an attempt to clear the box for players like Oscar and Eden Hazard. Still, even if it’s not the ideal situation, someone like Torres, who from time to time shows that he still has the skills that were consistently apparent in his performances during his Liverpool days, should be doing a lot better than he has so far.