Fernan-Go Torres

 

“Football, it’s a funny old game”. The tongue in cheek phrase former England centre forward Jimmy Greaves bestowed on football, yet acts as a suitable description of the crazy and unpredictable world the sport has now become. If a game of football can change in a second when a goal is scored, well what is one whole week where several unanticipated moments can occur changing the dynamic and landscape within the industry. Well guess what, I think it is safe to say it was one of those extreme weeks we have observed over the last seven days.

Those of you who know me, are well versed and shrewd enough to know that I am a Liverpool fan. I would like to add a long suffering fan, compared to its past and illustrious history. Nevertheless, I like many ‘kopites’ live in the hope that a time will come when we see Liverpool Football Club add to its tally of 18 English League Championships.

But as I watched Liverpool play against Fulham last midweek in the Premier League with F.B.S, yes folks that would be my old man, my dad, little did we know that a week later we would have witnessed Fernando Torres’ last game for Kenny Dalglish’s men in a 1-0 win. Likewise, I think the Newcastle faithful could not have imagined that during this time span, their hometown striker Andy Carroll would no longer be stepping out in the black and white at St. James Park.

With the imminent departure of Fernando Torres after stating he wanted to leave Liverpool, his proposed move sparked a whirlwind frenzy involving the two players mentioned. This along with other transfer activities, late bids, and humorous alleged sightings of players reported to have been circling the regional areas other clubs on deadline day. Focus was primarily centred on the British transfer record being broken twice, as Liverpool recruited Andy Carroll’s services for the hefty sum of £35 million plus add-ons as replacement for  the out going Torres. 

A situation that occurred before Torres himself was being transferred to Chelsea for a staggering £50 million, in a remarkable series of events. A chapter which has got those within the game and onlookers asking at combined total of £85 million being spent on the acquisition of these two players, can this be justified within a global recession and financial cuts?      

Away from that and aside from a ton of disappointment and anger Liverpool fans felt as they knew their idol was desperately looking to leave to Premier League rivals Chelsea, an ill-feeling resides amongst many in the transfer’s aftermath. But if viewed upon objectively without the flurried emotion of the switch, is it all as sinister as some Liverpool fans and bystanders have it?

Although sadness usually hangs when a top level player leaves your club for pastures new, from a personal standpoint I can look without bias and have no lingering gripe with the Spaniard. Now before you smash your mouse or mobile display in a fit of rage hear me out Liverpool fans. The lad left his home town club, his beloved Atlético Madrid in a big move from Spain, for both him as a person and in his career. A move to a club steeped in history in an effort thought to improve his chances of ending his baron spell of club honours.

Now already stated, by the club’s own lofty standards set in the 70’s and 80’s, Liverpool are not the same force it once was. However as was one of the active marquee clubs both in England and in Europe during the time Torres joined, the chances of success could have been looked upon as favourable for both parties. Unfortunately for what can be considered a number of reasons, silverware has not necessarily materialised for both Torres and Liverpool at this level in football.

Barring European and World Cup success on the international stage with the Spanish team, which conversely coincided with his time at Liverpool, Torres still has never won anything at senior level with the clubs that he has played for. As he embarks on his 27^th birthday in March, this is a point in his profession which is considered a footballer’s peak years. How long is he to go without fulfilling his clear and obvious talent? With the detrimental ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, along with the breakdown of relationship Torres had with Rafa Benitez, and what appeared to be nothing more than a lukewarm union with Roy Hodgson, El Nino’s departure was always a distinct reality.

Likewise, there is no benefit to Liverpool keeping a player who frankly speaking (yes the pun was indeed intended), has looked a forlorn figure for large patches of this season and for the last 18 months as a whole for the club. With the money attained from his sale, Liverpool can and have used these funds to strengthen its core squad and future fortunes. 

With El Niño now London-bound, his move now adds more fuel to a fire between the two clubs. A rivalry that really came to light in my mind in January 2005 with a controversial late winner by then Chelsea player Joe Cole at Anfield, as the reds were denied a penalty beforehand. With several high profile clashes that have occurred since, including the contentious goal that was given to Liverpool when facing Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final again in 2005, this weekend’s showdown will be fanatically contested.      

But the key aspect in all this is it shows despite all the kissing of badges and subjective statements of love for their clubs players make, fans should no longer expect to make the emotional investment into a large portion of players that they watch on the field representing their club. With the stakes rapidly being raised all the time with money being king, results are more important like never before. You only have to look when a team goes without a win in three games, questions are being asked from a variety of groupings.

This does not apply to all, but today’s football fans are quick to question the manager’s capabilities for an indifferent patch in form. A manager could sound off or begin to look at the board or owners looking for more investment in which he can use for buying new players, and puts this down as the rationale for no wins. More typically, a club’s overseers look at the manager as to why the team have not won in such a spell, and look at how this will effect league survival or Champions League qualification. All in which usually ends in the manager being given his marching orders. 

In such a knee-jerk structure, the players are all powerful and can make demands and transfer requests at the drop of a hat whenever. Significantly this usually is put into execution with little obstruction. Top stars such as, Cesc Fabregas, Javier Mascherano, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Darren Bent in one way or another either looked for a move, or has voiced quite clearly a move which in the end was facilitated during this current season.

With both Torres and Carroll being added to this list and leaving their respective clubs on unplanned and on less than cordial terms, there leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of the fans they leave behind. But fans should hold one of the true real values in football, the players in today’s age act as expensive jewellery of the outfits that they play for, which can come to an end at any moment. But it is club that should and will always resonate and that spirit comes from its supporters, and as long as that is there a clubs lifeblood will always continue.