|
|
Fernando Torres: Liverpool fans don't know the truth about my transfer to Chelsea and nobody has understood me like Rafa Benitez
Spain striker expects to be on the receiving end of plenty of abuse when the Reds visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but insists he holds no grudges ahead of the "very special game"
17 Nov 2011 12:52:00
By Ben Hayward and Oliver Platt
Getty images
Fernando Torres insists Liverpool fans do not know the full story behind his transfer to Chelsea.
The Spain international is a less than popular figure on Merseyside due to his £50 million switch to London in the January transfer window.
Torres was roundly booed during Spain's defeat to England at Wembley last week and he expects it to be in the firing line from the away fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but says that his former club's supporters will always be special to him.
"I've no doubt [the abuse] will be a lot worse," Torres told Marca.
"The Liverpool fans have only paid attention to what the club made them see and they don't know the true story of my transfer to Chelsea.
"That's why I don’t hold any grudges; they will always be special to me."
Torres became a Kop idol for his lethal form during his first three seasons with the club, scoring 56 Premier League goals in just 79 appearances while playing under Rafael Benitez.
But when the Spanish manager was replaced by Roy Hodgson, his form dipped and it has not fully recovered since his move to the capital.
"Nobody has understood me like Rafa Benitez," he said.
"I owe him a lot. He is a fantastic coach. His teams go out on to the pitch with just one aim: to compete.
"The sensation they transmit is that, with less [of a] budget, they can beat the biggest teams."
The 27-year-old will be hoping to show something like his best form when Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the player acknowledging the importance of the fixture as Chelsea look to stay in the title race.
Torres' former club have picked up only one win in their last four Premier League matches, but the forward believes that they are heading in the right direction.
"[Liverpool] are a team in transition and the change doesn't come overnight," he said.
"They need time. They have made a significant investment and, like in any project, they need to establish themselves.
"We can't allow ourselves the luxury of losing any more points. It will be a very special game and atmosphere, too, without a doubt."
With only two Premier League goals this season, Torres has not caught fire in a Chelsea shirt yet but dismissed concerns that he was feeling the pressure of his transfer fee and insisted he remains optimistic about his future.
"You place the responsibility on yourself, it's something you can't control," he said.
"Also, how much I cost doesn't depend on me, it's the clubs who decide what they are willing to pay and it is they who come to an agreement.
The Spain international is a less than popular figure on Merseyside due to his £50 million switch to London in the January transfer window.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Torres was roundly booed during Spain's defeat to England at Wembley last week and he expects it to be in the firing line from the away fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but says that his former club's supporters will always be special to him.
"I've no doubt [the abuse] will be a lot worse," Torres told Marca.
"The Liverpool fans have only paid attention to what the club made them see and they don't know the true story of my transfer to Chelsea.
"That's why I don’t hold any grudges; they will always be special to me."
Torres became a Kop idol for his lethal form during his first three seasons with the club, scoring 56 Premier League goals in just 79 appearances while playing under Rafael Benitez.
But when the Spanish manager was replaced by Roy Hodgson, his form dipped and it has not fully recovered since his move to the capital.
"Nobody has understood me like Rafa Benitez," he said.
"I owe him a lot. He is a fantastic coach. His teams go out on to the pitch with just one aim: to compete.
"The sensation they transmit is that, with less [of a] budget, they can beat the biggest teams."
The 27-year-old will be hoping to show something like his best form when Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the player acknowledging the importance of the fixture as Chelsea look to stay in the title race.
Torres' former club have picked up only one win in their last four Premier League matches, but the forward believes that they are heading in the right direction.
"[Liverpool] are a team in transition and the change doesn't come overnight," he said.
"They need time. They have made a significant investment and, like in any project, they need to establish themselves.
"We can't allow ourselves the luxury of losing any more points. It will be a very special game and atmosphere, too, without a doubt."
With only two Premier League goals this season, Torres has not caught fire in a Chelsea shirt yet but dismissed concerns that he was feeling the pressure of his transfer fee and insisted he remains optimistic about his future.
"You place the responsibility on yourself, it's something you can't control," he said.
"Also, how much I cost doesn't depend on me, it's the clubs who decide what they are willing to pay and it is they who come to an agreement.
"I have been lucky enough to experience many wonderful situations over the last 10 years, but I am confident the best is yet to come."
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
