10to10

https://vine.co/v/MvIm53MhvKt

https://vine.co/v/MvIm53MhvKt

https://vine.co/v/MvIm53MhvKt

https://vine.co/v/MvIm53MhvKt

https://vine.co/v/MvIm53MhvKt

https://vine.co/v/MvIm53MhvKt

https://vine.co/v/MvIm53MhvKt

I think i would still like to see him leave. There will always be a circus around him. Its a weight that we and him dont need.

to be honest, i don´t know the facts, but i believe that ba got more minutes on the pitch than sturridge (who is banging them in)...so maybe it is also a question of style/set up why he can't reach the form and ratio he had at nufc.

Admittedly never watched much of Newcastle's games before Ba came here but his stats were pretty decent. He has looked a different player since he came here & it might be worthwhile arguing if we are some sort of graveyard for forwards. Sounds a bit crazy; but think of it Drogba's proficiency was down to his ability, as several games we just lumped it up to him & he made something out of nothing. Or are we set up in a way that just happens to suit Lamps arriving late in the box. In the Roman era the only forwards that have come quite close to being deadly are Crespo & Mutu to an extent.
Seems to be a lot of tip-tappy around the box with very little directness, and for all the brilliance of the 3 amigos none of them seems to be able to beat a man, look up & ping in a cross early, there is always that extra touch.

just because this thread is somehow dark and negative, here some positive words from mata about torres (hopefully you lot´s won´t say he is a 'only' fanboy)
 
You’ve always said that Fernando Torres played an important role in you becoming a Chelsea player. What did he tell you?
“During the National Team meetings, he always came up to me and joked about how well-liked I was at Chelsea, how great I could be for the team and how well I’d fit in. He told me how fantastic things would turn out for me if I moved there and how much I would love London, and he committed himself to help me in every way he could. He played a fundamental role in me signing for the club, not only when it came to me and my decision, but he also talked to the club and made them seriously consider me as a potential buy. I’m really grateful towards him. Right after I arrived, he was at my disposal: he gave me his car, an English cell-phone, he showed me around town, etc.”
 
When it comes to special relationships, yours with Fernando can definitely be considered as such, right?
“Yes, of course. Together we’ve won the World Cup, the Euro Cup, the Champions League and the FA Cup. Besides, he assisted my goal in the Euro final… Personally, I feel very privileged and lucky to have the chance to get to know him as he really is, and for being able to consider myself his friend. He’s a fantastic striker who’s done many great things; first at Atleti, then at Liverpool, then in the National Team, and now at Chelsea.”
 
He’s talked about how supportive you were when he was having a really rough time…
“Yes, he was specially beaten down last year. He wasn’t going through a good time during the beginning of last season so I tried to help him, to be by his side at all times and to make him feel that I trusted, trust and will always trust him.”
 
Do you think that Euro final moment was his way of saying “Thank you”?
“Man, what he did for me was much more than anything I could’ve ever done for him. He left me all alone in front of the goal, with no goalkeeper and with a ball at my feet to pounce into the net. He’s still talking about it you know, jokingly, saying I am now a “big deal” and “famous” thanks to him (laughs).”
 
You’ve said before that the Euro goal has been the most important one in your life (so far). What was going through your head at the time?
“Without a doubt it has been the most important one. All my family and friends were present; I hadn’t gotten playing time until then… I remember I ran like a madman towards Fernando and yelled at him “It’s yours! This goal is yours!”. Then I looked up to the stands and saw my whole family there, beaming with happiness.”
 
- Juan Mata's interview for Minuto 116
https://asp-es.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=5763/9117/18929&lng=es

that sums it up for me ... perfectly:
http://alrickbrown.com/are-chelsea-fans-too-quick-to-criticize-fernando-torres/

thats a point where we can agree :)

He's finally started scoring early in the season and now we need to write him off?
For the record, I think he needs to stop looking for fouls too, because he is getting nothing from referees (and if you cant see it, youre hopelessly biased). But he has finally started to look like the genuine article most of the time, and fits in perfectly when we have Mata/Hazard in full form.
Long term, I cant wait to see the back of him at this club because of all the bullsh*t that goes with him. In true, modern fashion, he has become the crux of a debate for which there is only right and wrong, white and black, depending on which side theyre on. I used to think American politics was the only place to find debate that fruitless and time-wasting, but these discussions have really run it a close second.
The drama of this guy is sheerly exhausting. And no, I dont mean the frosted blonde one, I mean the keyboard gangfights he leaves in his wake.