As speculation mounts about a second Chelsea bid for Fernando Torres being imminent, Liverpool fans are expecting the worst this weekend.
Late last night it was confirmed that Torres had handed in a written transfer request and expressed his desire to move to Stamford Bridge following their failed £35m-£40million bid on Thursday night.
The gutting news came just hours after it was announced Liverpool had finally made a breakthrough and agreed a £23million fee for Ajax striker Luis Suarez.
Whilst Suarez will arrive on Merseyside today to complete his move, some are suggesting Torres is London bound to sew up a deal with Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
On August 3rd 2010, Torres publicly committed himself to Liverpool Football Club. He said:
“My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed.
“I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Five months went past and Liverpool were still having a torrid time on the pitch. The era of Roy Hodgson saw little joy at Anfield, and another transfer window – plus inevitable Torres transfer rumours – opened on January 1st.
Yet Torres again, on January 10th 2011, just three weeks ago, reittterated his commitment to Liverpool FC. This time he said:
“My head is in Liverpool and on helping save our season. I am professional and I always fulfil my deals.
“I haven’t considered leaving, although in football that depends on the club.”
Torres has acquired a hero status at Liverpool. He is adored and celebrated in the same way past Anfield greats have been celebrated – Fowler, Dalglish.
Yet if he has the idea that a switch to Chelsea is a career improvement, he is clearly misguided.
No longer will he have a hero status, no longer will 40,000 Kopites “bounce” to the delight of him, no longer will be have the pride of playing for the most accomplished club in English football.
A famous European night at Stamford Bridge just really, really isn’t on any level with Anfield.
Plastic flags, the Cockney media, and a fanbase that will boo their own players in light of personal life allegations. Quite frankly an embarassment of a football club.
Coincidently, should Torres be successful in his transfer request, he could make his debut for the Blues against Liverpool on Sunday, 6th February.
Torres has been lied to and mislead several times during his three and a half years at Liverpool. But the undelivered promised transfer money looks to be a thing of the past. Tom Hicks and George Gillett are rid of and we have new owners who care about what happens in all aspects of the club – down to team level and improving the squad.
And now with Kenny Dalglish, this is our turning point.
Dalglish is building something special here, Nando. You could still be part of it.
No player is bigger than the club, and we will return to our glory days with or without you.
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