Figuring out El Niño (or let Fernando Torres sweat it out).

Figuring out El Niño

Fernando Torres wants out? Make him sweat it.

by rick olivares

When news broke out that Fernando Torres wanted out of Liverpool (to perhaps move to Chelsea), my immediate reaction was, “I am not surprised.”

Modern sports and free agency has seen club loyalty go the way of the dinosaur. Does loyalty still count today?

Sure it does. I can think of a couple – AC Milan’s Paolo Maldini who only played for AC Milan and those who come up from Barcelona’s La Masia.

Ah, Barcelona. Forever raging against the Spanish crown for independence. One of the club’s patriarchs once told those who went up through La Masia, the club’s youth academy… “Other players play for money but you play for the Catalan nation!”

Whilst in conversation with a fellow Liverpool fan in the summer of 2007 when Fernando Torres signed with the Reds, that friend said, “He will not play well in Anfield.”

I rebutted him. “He isn’t any Fernando Morientes (the Real Madrid striker who didn’t impress in his one year with Liverpool). I am sure of that.”

I knew El Niño, as Torres is nicknamed, would play well. And he did. But I also knew that he would not stay long.

Torres is from Fuenlabrada, Madrid. He went through the Atletico Madrid youth program and eventually their first team. Yet as Atletico floundered, he wanted to leave. And incredibly, while still in the colors of Los Rojiblancos (the Red and Whites) in a May 2007 match against Real Sociedad, Torres’ captain’s armband fell off and it was revealed that he wore a patch with the acronym of Liverpool’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem – YNWA – in reverse!

Treachery!

I can only feel bad for Atletico because Torres’ departure mirrored the defection of Raul to leave for Real Madrid about a decade earlier. Of course, Raul’s was more painful for the Rojiblancos faithful because he moved to the crosstown rival.

And now on to Liverpool.

Spanish red is no longer the flavor of the club since the departure of Rafa Benitez. And Torres wants out.

I am not sure of what to think. To let Torres walk just because he wanted would send the wrong signal because pretty soon after that, any disgruntled player will want out. I say, finish the season and see what happens after that.

I am reminded of David Beckham’s final year with Real Madrid as he was tethered in Fabio Capello’s doghouse. Yet incredibly, in one final push against Ronaldinho’s Barcelona, Becks was a huge part in knocking the two-time champs from their perch. Then the following season, Goldenballs was in LA.

Liverpool is now in seventh place in the English Premier League with 32 points from 24 games. There are 14 matches left to play and if they do right and I do mean do bloody right by winning and garnering the three full points, who knows where they might place? And with Luis Suarez on board, he just might make an excellent strike partner alongside El Niño. Think Bayern Munich’s Gerd Muller and Uli Hoeness.

There was a time when Liverpool fans used to mock Chelsea with derisive jeers of “you have no history.” Since King Kenny Dalglish abdicated his Anfield throne in the early 1990s, the Reds have most known disappointment. There were the shining moments of the Treble and Istanbul but Manchester United has become the class and toast of English football. And even more galling is the fact that they can win title #19 and surpass Liverpool’s domestic total this year.

I do feel a little bad that Torres wants out. He said the right things in his introductory press conference about looking forward to join the club with all its history of excellence. But then again, every footballer and every athlete who pursues free agency says that. It makes for good soundbytes and it keeps the corporate sponsors happy. And so that skipper’s armband where he wore “AWNY” in 2007 was an act. He doesn’t want to be a part of any rebuilding. He only cares about winning (and that is well within his right).

And that is perhaps why Torres isn’t skipper as that belongs to Anfield icon Steven Gerrard. Maybe John Henry might want to check what’s written in El Niño’s undershirt. It could be verily be “Chelski”.

Who did I feel bad about when they left? There’s Sami Hyypia, Danny Murphy, John Arne Riise, Harry Kewell, Michael Owen. At least Robbie Fowler came back to end his career in a Reds kit.

Nevertheless it might not be such a bad thing to unload the Spanish international. In this year of near ruin where the club teetered with relegation, it might not be such a bad idea to reload big time.

New corporate sponsor. New owner. New manager. New home field. New team. Time to complete the cycle.


YNWA!


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One day after I wrote this, it's become official that Fernando Torres can now speak to Chelsea. And to replace him up front -- Luis Suarez (who will be wearing #7) and Andy Carroll (from Newcastle United) will be joining Liverpool.

#7 -- that's long line from Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Steve McManaman and is there any one else I missed out? Oh, how could I have forgotten - Peter Beardsley!!! Others who didn't fare well in it -- (one of me faves) Harry Kewell and Robbie Keane.