Fernando Torres- Is he one of Chelsea's most important EVER players?

Fernando Torres- Is he one of Chelsea's most important EVER players?

With legendary striker, Fernando Torres, preparing to retire from football after 18 glorious years, I will be telling you why I think he is up there with some of Chelsea's most important EVER players.

European Nights

When it comes to Fernando Torres and European goals, they pretty much go hand in hand, especially with his time at Chelsea...                  
                                   2011/12

Torres hopping over Victor Valdes 

It was the 24th of April 2012, Chelsea played Barcelona away in the Semi Finals of the Champions League with the tie currently at 2-1 to Barcelona but Chelsea were still going through due to away goals. The then interim manager, Roberto Di Matteo, turned to Torres for some fresh legs in the dying moments of the game. And what a iconic substitute it turned out to be. After an Ashley Cole clearance, the ball landed straight to the feet of Fernando Torres, who was now somehow 1 on 1 against his international team mate, Victor Valdes. 

Him scoring this goal did not only place Chelsea in a European Final but also created this never die attitude, which is now cemented into Chelsea Football Club's material, helping us go on to win this impossible trophy. 

Torres seen winning Chelsea the all important equalising corner

And if Chelsea fans remember correctly, we earned a certain corner in that 2012 Munich final, leading to a 88th minute Didier Drogba equaliser. But can you remember who won the famous corner?  That's right, Fernando Torres! So not only did he score the goal that finalised our Champions League final place but also won us the corner to keep the fire of winning that special tournament alive!

Without Torres, there is NO WAY we would of gone on to win this competition.

2012/13

In the 2012/13 season, Chelsea had failed to secure a place in the round of 16 of the Champions League and were forced to play into the Europa League instead. Rafa Benitez was brought in as Interim Manager after European failings and to also help the struggling Fernando Torres back to goal scoring form. And Benitez did not fail, with the Spaniard scoring a remarkable 22 goals and setting up 11 assists too. Not only did Torres bring the goals but also sealed us into yet ANOTHER European Final. Torres opened the scoring in the second leg Semi against Basel in a 3-1 win (5-2 agg) PLUS setting up Victor Moses for our second. 

Celebrating his Europa Legaue Final Goal VS Benfica

Torres' scoring form didn't stop that year either. With Chelsea still to face their second European Final in two years, The World Cup winning striker was there to lead the line in Amsterdam.  

Doing what Torres does best, he was unleashed 1 on 1 against Benfica goalkeeper, Artur, in the 60th minute and skipped passed him to slot the ball home, bringing back joyous memories of the year before. Chelsea eventually went on to lift the trophy, winning 2-1. 

My Opinion of why Torres is SO important in Chelsea's history

Celebrating in Munich, 2012

Lots of Chelsea fans have mixed emotions about Fernando Torres but you cannot deny what this man has done for our club. 

Admittedly, he has struggled to keep form and has been through some pretty dire spells for Chelsea. But what you must remember is that this man has sent us to TWO European Finals, scored in a Europa League final and also winning us the ever so important corner that led to that equalising goal. I don't see how a player can get much more important to a club then doing what he did.

We bought Torres for a fee of £50 million with lots of rival fans labelling him a flop, but people seem to forget that he reimbursed the club his worth in just two seconds by scoring THAT Semi Final goal. 

For these reasons, Torres will forever be one of the most important players ever to play for our club and I truly hope he has a happy retirement...not bad for a "£50 million flop".

Thanks for reading! 

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