Las7

Didn't expect him to fire on all cylinders from the first game - it's important to have another goal threat especially with Willian in the side. 

The thing is Mikel is usually very sound choice when paired with another defensive player(or semi defensive player). I always though he was best in the pivot next to Essien, right now he seems to be playing very well next to Matic. 
Most of his deficiencies are exposed when playing with an attacking player and he needs to cover more ground. 

I hope he does.
 
I've seen enough of these moments from Torres to be convinced he is still crap.

The thing is Mikel is usually very sound choice when paired with another defensive player(or semi defensive player). I always though he was best in the pivot next to Essien, right now he seems to be playing very well next to Matic. 
Most of his deficiencies are exposed when playing with an attacking player and he needs to cover more ground. 

Exactly. And it was always about how the style of play didn't suit him or how he was being benched for no reason, or some other excuse but never admitting that he was playing poorly. This is a fellow Spanish flop recently, notice the difference.
 
Roberto Soldado: I feel ashamed when Tottenham Hotspur fans cheer my name as I haven't been good enough
 

Good luck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...to Atletico

The thing is Mikel is usually very sound choice when paired with another defensive player(or semi defensive player). I always though he was best in the pivot next to Essien, right now he seems to be playing very well next to Matic. 
Most of his deficiencies are exposed when playing with an attacking player and he needs to cover more ground. 

He got us all a gift for Christmas
 
Terry Christmas everyone 

He got us all a gift for Christmas
 
Terry Christmas everyone 

He would not get one, because he would never play enough matches to be eligible for a medal.
 
Besides he is bad luck we haven't won the League since we signed him 

Keep the strawmen coming.
 
He was a highly rated AM and we took him and forced him to play DM and then people all had the pre conceived idea of what he would be and because he didn't live up to that lofty expectation people are annoyed. 
 
He isn't even a DM but is always compared to one. He plays his original position for Nigeria which is where he shines and people go 'why doesn't he do that for us?' Because we tell him to shield the defence , hold the ball and pass it to the other attacking players.
 
As another poster said, he is probably the best backup DM you can get, doesn't have high wages at all (people talk like he is super highly paid.... not really) and despite copping constant abuse from fans he still keeps his head down and does the job for the club. IIRC he played for us whilst his father was kidnapped in Nigeria.
 
Guy hasn't really done much to cop so much flak bar not be perceived as good as people want him to be. But as I said, here we are with another 2 pages on this thread from a 20 minute cameo of a game we won. For that, I'll back him for as long as he is at the club. Long live Mikel.

Odd how a player who has an impressive history of winning major cup finals is now apparently not to be trusted with playing in the League Cup.
 
Top of the league, top of our Champions League group, still in the cups and undefeated in all competitions... I guess people need to create a problem when there isn't one.

He has left, he was a flop, he blocked the progress of much better strikers only due to his wage and transfer amount. I would not have had as much of a problem with him in the squad if he wasn't constantly picked by Carlo, AVB and RdM. There were better options within the squad who deserved to start much more than him. The fact that he pushed for being unquestionable number one after our CL victory, which was not our board's doing. 
 
Our board and Roman bend over backwards to accommodate him - I've said who ever made the decision to have Torres as our first option after our CL victory is to blame. But people shouldn't act like Torres wasn't part of that equation, he puled a strop after our CL victory and our board were more than happy to cripple our chances in the League and CL by only having him as our first choice striker. 
 
His level right now is a rotational striker in a club who might have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, his level has been like that since he joined us. If Lukaku, Sturridge or even Kalou were given as much chances as Torres there is no doubt they would have performed much better overall. Not only that but when our attacking midfield was more confident with the player ahead of themit would have unshackled them and allowed them to play with more confidence. It's clear to everyone now what a striker making runs and constantly scoring can do for a side.
His tally in the League with us is embarrassing, sure when he arrived we didn't have that many creative outlets, but that was quickly changed as we bought so much creative talent that no striker could complain. It's our problem we decided to base this talent around a player who was finished at top level. 
 
The Era of Torres is one of the best examples of nepotism. It was clear after less than an year, that our board should cut their loses but instead they doubled down and we were crippled in the League mainly because of their decision to try and make it work. 
 
 
I've never had a huge problem with Torres as a person, as a player at CFC however he is one of the most frustrating players to put on the blue kit. 

I thought this day would never come

So what you are saying is that Chelsea have scored an average of six goals per game since Torres left? Surely no coincidence...

He has left, he was a flop, he blocked the progress of much better strikers only due to his wage and transfer amount. I would not have had as much of a problem with him in the squad if he wasn't constantly picked by Carlo, AVB and RdM. There were better options within the squad who deserved to start much more than him. The fact that he pushed for being unquestionable number one after our CL victory, which was not our board's doing. 
 
Our board and Roman bend over backwards to accommodate him - I've said who ever made the decision to have Torres as our first option after our CL victory is to blame. But people shouldn't act like Torres wasn't part of that equation, he puled a strop after our CL victory and our board were more than happy to cripple our chances in the League and CL by only having him as our first choice striker. 
 
His level right now is a rotational striker in a club who might have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, his level has been like that since he joined us. If Lukaku, Sturridge or even Kalou were given as much chances as Torres there is no doubt they would have performed much better overall. Not only that but when our attacking midfield was more confident with the player ahead of themit would have unshackled them and allowed them to play with more confidence. It's clear to everyone now what a striker making runs and constantly scoring can do for a side.
His tally in the League with us is embarrassing, sure when he arrived we didn't have that many creative outlets, but that was quickly changed as we bought so much creative talent that no striker could complain. It's our problem we decided to base this talent around a player who was finished at top level. 
 
The Era of Torres is one of the best examples of nepotism. It was clear after less than an year, that our board should cut their loses but instead they doubled down and we were crippled in the League mainly because of their decision to try and make it work. 
 
 
I've never had a huge problem with Torres as a person, as a player at CFC however he is one of the most frustrating players to put on the blue kit. 

He has left, he was a flop, he blocked the progress of much better strikers only due to his wage and transfer amount. I would not have had as much of a problem with him in the squad if he wasn't constantly picked by Carlo, AVB and RdM. There were better options within the squad who deserved to start much more than him. The fact that he pushed for being unquestionable number one after our CL victory, which was not our board's doing. 
 
Our board and Roman bend over backwards to accommodate him - I've said who ever made the decision to have Torres as our first option after our CL victory is to blame. But people shouldn't act like Torres wasn't part of that equation, he puled a strop after our CL victory and our board were more than happy to cripple our chances in the League and CL by only having him as our first choice striker. 
 
His level right now is a rotational striker in a club who might have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, his level has been like that since he joined us. If Lukaku, Sturridge or even Kalou were given as much chances as Torres there is no doubt they would have performed much better overall. Not only that but when our attacking midfield was more confident with the player ahead of themit would have unshackled them and allowed them to play with more confidence. It's clear to everyone now what a striker making runs and constantly scoring can do for a side.
His tally in the League with us is embarrassing, sure when he arrived we didn't have that many creative outlets, but that was quickly changed as we bought so much creative talent that no striker could complain. It's our problem we decided to base this talent around a player who was finished at top level. 
 
The Era of Torres is one of the best examples of nepotism. It was clear after less than an year, that our board should cut their loses but instead they doubled down and we were crippled in the League mainly because of their decision to try and make it work. 
 
 
I've never had a huge problem with Torres as a person, as a player at CFC however he is one of the most frustrating players to put on the blue kit. 

Yeah that's true but he was not playing well. I think he scored like 5 in January and 2 against us in November. He was on the down from early 2010, his pace and agility (his best attributes) were not the same after several injections.
He is similar to Michael Owen, he gave so much at such a young age that is just took it out of him. But Owen got to decline out of the spotlight at Newcastle or United's bench. Torres has been right in the face of the media as a starter for a title contender.

He has left, he was a flop, he blocked the progress of much better strikers only due to his wage and transfer amount. I would not have had as much of a problem with him in the squad if he wasn't constantly picked by Carlo, AVB and RdM. There were better options within the squad who deserved to start much more than him. The fact that he pushed for being unquestionable number one after our CL victory, which was not our board's doing. 
 
Our board and Roman bend over backwards to accommodate him - I've said who ever made the decision to have Torres as our first option after our CL victory is to blame. But people shouldn't act like Torres wasn't part of that equation, he puled a strop after our CL victory and our board were more than happy to cripple our chances in the League and CL by only having him as our first choice striker. 
 
His level right now is a rotational striker in a club who might have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, his level has been like that since he joined us. If Lukaku, Sturridge or even Kalou were given as much chances as Torres there is no doubt they would have performed much better overall. Not only that but when our attacking midfield was more confident with the player ahead of themit would have unshackled them and allowed them to play with more confidence. It's clear to everyone now what a striker making runs and constantly scoring can do for a side.
His tally in the League with us is embarrassing, sure when he arrived we didn't have that many creative outlets, but that was quickly changed as we bought so much creative talent that no striker could complain. It's our problem we decided to base this talent around a player who was finished at top level. 
 
The Era of Torres is one of the best examples of nepotism. It was clear after less than an year, that our board should cut their loses but instead they doubled down and we were crippled in the League mainly because of their decision to try and make it work. 
 
 
I've never had a huge problem with Torres as a person, as a player at CFC however he is one of the most frustrating players to put on the blue kit. 

Well there was coincidental sackings to every manager that questioned Torres as first choice. AvB compared him to Kezman and Sheva got sacked shortly after; RdM benched him and preferred a false nine sacked shortly after. We finally have a manager with enough authority to not use him and a season later that manager has allowed him to leave. We are likely to sign Remy as replacement and it would be an upgrade over Torres. 
 
Like I said I think there was a lot of nepotism around Torres and our board were making decision based on what would make him return some of the investment instead of concentrating on actually winning things. Carroll was also a huge flop but at least the Pool board didn't persist with him and got rid of him at the first opportunity.
 
I don't question his effort, for a striker effort is not important putting the ball in the back of the net is. Players like Berbatov are able to build a whole career despite never seemingly making a huge effort, because they provide plenty to the side. Torres never provided enough, considering the amount of time and effort we wasted in trying to make it work his time was frustrating for fans to say the least. 

He has left, he was a flop, he blocked the progress of much better strikers only due to his wage and transfer amount. I would not have had as much of a problem with him in the squad if he wasn't constantly picked by Carlo, AVB and RdM. There were better options within the squad who deserved to start much more than him. The fact that he pushed for being unquestionable number one after our CL victory, which was not our board's doing. 
 
Our board and Roman bend over backwards to accommodate him - I've said who ever made the decision to have Torres as our first option after our CL victory is to blame. But people shouldn't act like Torres wasn't part of that equation, he puled a strop after our CL victory and our board were more than happy to cripple our chances in the League and CL by only having him as our first choice striker. 
 
His level right now is a rotational striker in a club who might have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, his level has been like that since he joined us. If Lukaku, Sturridge or even Kalou were given as much chances as Torres there is no doubt they would have performed much better overall. Not only that but when our attacking midfield was more confident with the player ahead of themit would have unshackled them and allowed them to play with more confidence. It's clear to everyone now what a striker making runs and constantly scoring can do for a side.
His tally in the League with us is embarrassing, sure when he arrived we didn't have that many creative outlets, but that was quickly changed as we bought so much creative talent that no striker could complain. It's our problem we decided to base this talent around a player who was finished at top level. 
 
The Era of Torres is one of the best examples of nepotism. It was clear after less than an year, that our board should cut their loses but instead they doubled down and we were crippled in the League mainly because of their decision to try and make it work. 
 
 
I've never had a huge problem with Torres as a person, as a player at CFC however he is one of the most frustrating players to put on the blue kit. 

He has left, he was a flop, he blocked the progress of much better strikers only due to his wage and transfer amount. I would not have had as much of a problem with him in the squad if he wasn't constantly picked by Carlo, AVB and RdM. There were better options within the squad who deserved to start much more than him. The fact that he pushed for being unquestionable number one after our CL victory, which was not our board's doing. 
 
Our board and Roman bend over backwards to accommodate him - I've said who ever made the decision to have Torres as our first option after our CL victory is to blame. But people shouldn't act like Torres wasn't part of that equation, he puled a strop after our CL victory and our board were more than happy to cripple our chances in the League and CL by only having him as our first choice striker. 
 
His level right now is a rotational striker in a club who might have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, his level has been like that since he joined us. If Lukaku, Sturridge or even Kalou were given as much chances as Torres there is no doubt they would have performed much better overall. Not only that but when our attacking midfield was more confident with the player ahead of themit would have unshackled them and allowed them to play with more confidence. It's clear to everyone now what a striker making runs and constantly scoring can do for a side.
His tally in the League with us is embarrassing, sure when he arrived we didn't have that many creative outlets, but that was quickly changed as we bought so much creative talent that no striker could complain. It's our problem we decided to base this talent around a player who was finished at top level. 
 
The Era of Torres is one of the best examples of nepotism. It was clear after less than an year, that our board should cut their loses but instead they doubled down and we were crippled in the League mainly because of their decision to try and make it work. 
 
 
I've never had a huge problem with Torres as a person, as a player at CFC however he is one of the most frustrating players to put on the blue kit. 

He has left, he was a flop, he blocked the progress of much better strikers only due to his wage and transfer amount. I would not have had as much of a problem with him in the squad if he wasn't constantly picked by Carlo, AVB and RdM. There were better options within the squad who deserved to start much more than him. The fact that he pushed for being unquestionable number one after our CL victory, which was not our board's doing. 
 
Our board and Roman bend over backwards to accommodate him - I've said who ever made the decision to have Torres as our first option after our CL victory is to blame. But people shouldn't act like Torres wasn't part of that equation, he puled a strop after our CL victory and our board were more than happy to cripple our chances in the League and CL by only having him as our first choice striker. 
 
His level right now is a rotational striker in a club who might have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, his level has been like that since he joined us. If Lukaku, Sturridge or even Kalou were given as much chances as Torres there is no doubt they would have performed much better overall. Not only that but when our attacking midfield was more confident with the player ahead of themit would have unshackled them and allowed them to play with more confidence. It's clear to everyone now what a striker making runs and constantly scoring can do for a side.
His tally in the League with us is embarrassing, sure when he arrived we didn't have that many creative outlets, but that was quickly changed as we bought so much creative talent that no striker could complain. It's our problem we decided to base this talent around a player who was finished at top level. 
 
The Era of Torres is one of the best examples of nepotism. It was clear after less than an year, that our board should cut their loses but instead they doubled down and we were crippled in the League mainly because of their decision to try and make it work. 
 
 
I've never had a huge problem with Torres as a person, as a player at CFC however he is one of the most frustrating players to put on the blue kit. 

Thanks to the negotiating team and Mourinho for finally bringing this to an end.
 
This is a player who cost the club 3 managers, including a double champion and a club legend, to be fired. He had his way and got the club to appoint the fat one, which will permanently leave a blemish on this club.
 
On the night we won the Champions League thanks to Drogba, and not Fernando "corner" Torres, he had the nerve to go and moan to the media. It's no surprise why Drogba didn't bother to negotiate a new contract. Torres' demands also cost the club a good, young striker in Sturridge. 
 
Regarding his "highlights" here, there were none. Yes, he won the corner that led to Drogba's goal. But you can trace back every incident that led us to win that competition or even be in the final. Ashley Cole's clearance off the line against Napoli, Terry's goal against Napoli, Lampard's perfect passes in both legs against Barca that led to goals. Torres is getting cheap praise.
 
We did not challenge for a league title under him. A 50m player, let alone a striker, should be able to lead his team to a title. Aguero won it for City, RVP won it for United, In 2010 Drogba for us.
 
Yes, he did score in the Europa league final, but that is not our level. Chelsea is an elite club.
 
Torres has been an abject failure. One of the worst players to wear this shirt. Take his price out of the equation, he still failed to do his one job on the pitch. The likes of Mata, Willian, Hazard, Oscar were all brought in to help. They excelled but he didn't.
 
He summed up how he felt about this club by refusing to score against liverpool and passing the ball to Willian.
 
Good riddance. The club can finally go upwards now.