Nasri and Torres Are Finally Vindicated!

And so the season finally ended. It was a season filled with drama, with more ups and downs for all clubs than in any previous season. Who would've scripted a more dramatic end to the Premier League title race? The excitement involved is what makes the Barclays Premier League the best league to watch.

What struck me most was that two of the Premier League's best players finally achieved what they had wanted in English football and that is to win titles and medals. The moves were controversial and the separation acrimonious but now with titles won, both players' actions can be considered justified.

Samir Nasri left Arsenal at a time when they needed him most, and also at a time when Arsenal were not in a position to challenge for any titles. The Arsenal fans did not take kindly to him leaving and he was vilified for leaving the Emirates. And now with the much dreamt about Premiership title under his belt, his actions are vindicated. His first trophy turned out to be the coveted Premier League trophy, making him a League champion. Something not even Steven Gerrard can claim to be.

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Suarez And Torres - The Contrasting Styles Of Two Hattrick Heroes

When Luis Suarez was accused of racially abusing Patrice Evra, he retorted with the quote,

"I go to the field with the maximum illusion of a little child who enjoys what he does."

I finally understood what he meant by that last Saturday against Norwich. Suarez looked very much the sure-footed striker who had scored over 100 goals for Ajax. El Pistolero is a player who is either stunningly brilliant or woefully frustrating, there is no middle ground. But then it would be hard to expect him to be anything else. Hence it seemed somewhat fitting that Suarez should liken himself to a little child doing what he loves in a playground. Football is fantasy for the Uruguayan and he plays the beautiful game with a sense of child-like joy and freedom that is rarely found in the Premiership.

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Move Aside Drogba, The Torres Revival Takes Shape

Torres has had to endure tough times since his transfer to Chelsea. Even if his desire to move was to win trophies, he obviously had not figured how difficult it would be to firstly, fit into a world-class team and secondly, to displace Didi Drogba.

The best striker in the Premiership, Fernando Torres had to deal with a trophy-ladened but ego-filled dressing room. And as far as world class strikers go, El Nino had to contend with the ill-fated Chelsea strikers' graveyard. And then there is the looming monster shadow of a defiant Drogba, seemingly oblivious to his diminishing powers.

So you see, Torres had to endure an environment completely different to the one he fondly remembered at Liverpool. Far away from the Anfield adulation he enjoys, he had to undergo a transformation to be successful in a club like Chelsea. So, to replace Drogba is to be like Drogba.

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Greedy Sturridge Can Learn From Selfless Torres

Make no mistake about Daniel Sturridge's value to Chelsea, his contributions have been exceptional for the Blues. His goals have somewhat dried up, but he is still a first choice player in the eyes of Robbie Di Matteo. RDM has taken his chance at the helm of Chelsea and now rides the wave of three consecutive victories. Ironically he has reverted to Chelsea's old guards to get the job done.

And so it was a surprise that the Italian decided to gamble on the "new" Chelsea, playing Meireles and Torres against Leicester in the FA Cup quarterfinals. The players he picked have yet to let RDM down, and Chelsea strolled to a victory that they deserved.

Though the standout performance came from Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge's singlemindedness to get goals lend itself to a general perception that he is constantly hunting for personal glory. His agenda is to gratify himself rather than doing what's necessary for the good of the team.

Young strikers typically have this trait. It's all about goals and the excitement that scoring brings to them. As they mature, strikers become more rounded. In his early years, Michael Owen was a greedy goal poacher, he went on to refine his game in later years, becoming a more complete attacker in the final third.

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The Reinvention Of Chelsea's Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres at his best, was an absolute terror. Just ask Nemanja Vidic. Or even the whole Manchester United team for that matter. There is no fluke that El Nino became the fastest Liverpool player to reach the 50-goal mark. His searing speed, excellent touch and great dribbling skills made him a Kop hero as soon as he arrived at Anfield. Rafa Benitez' playing system brought out the best in Nando. Steven Gerrard's promptings helped elevate Torres to Anfield hero status.

Without Benitez and with an injured Gerrard, Torres cut a lonely figure upfront for Liverpool in his final season. Nando never settled within the team built by a cautious Roy Hodgson and was soon on his way when Chelsea plumped up the big money for him. His reason - the need to win trophies. For all his individual brilliance, Torres' Liverpool career was marred by boardroom struggles and no trophies. The move to Chelsea was purely motivated by the need for success.

At Liverpool, Roy Hodgson tried to play Torres as a target man and though he still scored goals, since Liverpool players were familiar with him, the Spaniard never looked comfortable. Ironically, that's exactly the way Chelsea plays - with a target man. Torres found very quickly that the service from the Chelsea midfield without a Gerrard-like player, was poor and laboured. He had to reinvent himself if he wanted to be a success at The Bridge.

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Premier League's Forgotten Men Emerges Impressively During Christmas

The Christmas fixtures brought about a change in team line ups. Clubs which could afford to rest key players relied on their bench to tide them over this hectic time. This meant first team starts for a trio of Premier League superstars who have somewhat faded from this season's football action.

Dimitar Berbatov, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun made the most of rare starts to remind the Premiership world what they are all capable of. In a word, these forgotten men impressed during the Christmas period.

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Reds Back To Winning Ways And Ready For Merseyside Derby

Finally Kenny Dalglish have Steven Gerrard back and in time for Derby day! Couple that with the excellent showing of Andy Carroll against Wolves and the Reds are looking capable of beating Everton this Saturday. The right back position is now solid once more with Martin Kelly back from injury and though Carragher and Skrtel are still weak links in central defence, Everton's lack of bite upfront will suit Liverpool as they sought to make it back-to-back wins.

Young Jordan Henderson should make way for the Liverpool captain and Luis Suarez must be preparing to prosper from Gerrard's passes this weekend. Thus why the magical Uruguayan was upset, he wanted some playing time to forge an understanding with Steven Gerrard. Instead, El Pistolero will need to work on developing that telepathy with Stevie G on the training ground.

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Torres, Mata and Sturridge Perfect Chelsea Frontline

Andre Villas-Boas is trying hard to change the way Chelsea has played over the past six years and mini-Mourinho is getting closer with every game. In all aspect, it was an aging team that AVB inherited at the Bridge.

Ancelotti started the rejuvenation process, bringing in David Luiz and Fernando Torres. Villas-Boas signed Raul Meireles and Juan Mata. Along with Sturridge and McEachran, these players are the future of Chelsea and they will be part of a newer improved Chelsea.

Daniel Sturridge proved again with that eye-catching backheel goal why he is a striker that Chelsea cannot afford to leave out of their starting lineup. He has what Torres currently lacks - goalscoring ability. But that does not mean that Torres have no part to play in the Blues' pursuit of Champions and Premier League glory.

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Come Back To Liverpool, Torres!

Come Back To Liverpool, Fernando!

As I watched Chelsea toiled to a late victory over Norwich City, I just felt sorry for El Nino. Finally looking sharp in pre-season, this was THE season that Torres resumes his Premiership goalscoring feats in Chelsea blue.

Three games on and yet no goals from the World Cup winning Spaniard. And I feel a sense of frustration building up inside me, as I saw the inability of Lampard, Mikel, Malouda and Anelka to exploit Torres' undoubted talents. The old Chelsea boys are not creating chances for the ex-Reds legend or could it be that they do not fancy him at The Bridge? Time and again, the Blues midfield do not look to pass to Torres and the Spaniard look like a lonely soul on the pitch.

Torres, with his pace, likes the ball played in front of him and somehow, Chelsea do not have the midfielders who could or want to provide these passes. Which is why Nando was instrumental in convincing Juan Mata to sign for Chelsea. The star of the Euro-21 tournament, Mata has the intelligence and passing ability to get Torres firing again.

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Chelsea Rebuilding With David Luiz and Fernando Torres

One of the major concerns about Chelsea these past seasons have been the ageing of their senior players. Drogba, Lampard and Terry are all above 30 years old. These stalwarts have been the backbone of the most successful Chelsea side in the club's history.

The rebuilding process have started with the buying spree in January. 26-year old Fernando Torres was the biggest signing in the winter transfer window. Who wouldn't be interested in a Champions League available world class striker? Hardly anyone had seen Brazilian David Luiz until he signed for Chelsea. Luiz is only 23 years old, young and a potential jewel in the crown for the Blue Champions.

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Dalglish's Red Army Fights Off Wolves For First Three Points!

As soon as the game at Molineux ended, Sammy Lee walked over to Kenny Dalglish, congratulated him and then whispered, "You're Back!". This win surely must kick start Liverpool's season. The Reds now look very comfortable as a team, attacking and defending as a unit. For that unifying factor, Kenny Dalglish deserve praise. The way he has managed to bring Fernando Torres back into form also deserves special mention. Nando's two goals today were perhaps his simplest but it is also deserving considering how hard he was working throughout the game.

Even more satisfying was seeing the Reds not giving up when Wolves were trying to bully them off the pitch. Instead there seemed to be a new resilience and determination in the team since Dalglish took over. Liverpool stood firm and refuse to be intimidated. Torres, Meireles and Maxi withstood the majority of the physical challenges that Wolves defenders and Henry dished out. Instead of complaining and moaning, Torres and Meireles went on to punish Wolves in the best possible way by scoring three superb goals.

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Fernando Torres' Problems Pile Up

Fernando Torres Heads An Illustrious List of 50-Goal Liverpool Greats

Before the Christmas football period, Fernando Torres stood on the cusp of greatness. Scoring 49 goals in 69 games meant that he was on the verge of becoming the fastest Liverpool player ever to reach 50 goals in the least number of games. Though it did not come against Portsmouth or Wolves, it finally came against top four hopeful, Aston Villa. And so, El Nino's 50 goals came in 72 Premier League games for Liverpool. That's a ratio of a goal in 1.45 games, an amazing strike rate! In only his third season, he has become a Kop legend.

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Only Rafa Benitez Can Have The Brillant Idea Of Playing Aquilani and Torres In A Meaningless Champions League Match

The Official Liverpool club site reported that Alberto Aquilani will start tonight against Fiorentina in a meaningless Champions League match. Fernando Torres is also expected to be named on the substitutes bench. The initial reaction from me when I was told by a Red Devils fan was, "why oh why? Rafa has got things wrong yet again!"

But when I sat down later and calmly thought about this bit of news, I understood what Rafa wanted to achieve on Wednesday evening.

Rafa's decision to finally play Aquilani will be warmly received by all fans who have suffered as Liverpool's season fell apart in recent weeks. So in a meaningless Champions League match, Rafa stumbled upon the ingenious idea of finally unleashing the playmaking skills of Alberto Aquilani. Playing him in a no-pressure but still competitive match can definitely ease Aquilani back into fighting condition necessary to help Liverpool's cause for FA Cup and Europa League glory.

It's hard to argue with the mindset of Benitez as he sought to improve firstly, Aquilani's and Torres' match fitness and secondly, allow Aquilani to build his own match confidence by pitting him against familiar Italian opposition. If everything goes according to plan, Aquilani should be in contention for a first Premiership start against Arsenal. Fiorentina and Arsenal are ideal opposition for the playmaker who is regaining his stride after a long lay-off. Thirdly, if Torres comes off the bench in the 65th minute, there will be ample time in the match for Aquilani to develop an understanding with 'Nando. Rafa hopes to reap the benefits come Sunday when Arsene's team come to town.

So now, does starting Aquilani and naming Torres on the bench against Fiorentina now seems like a masterstroke to you? It sure does smell like Rafa is thinking ahead yet again, this time towards getting three points against Arsenal! So, the Gunners had better watch out this Sunday as Rafa seems to have a plan cooking in the Anfield oven.