I think Eto'o will start.

So do I unfortunately

Going back to the injury front for a moment, even in the space of a few seasons, sports technology and medicine has come on leaps and bounds. 

 

It's highly impressive at the speeds modern day athletes can recover these days, so it's excellent that Torres didn't miss out on too much, otherwise he may have reverted back to where he was.

 

Performance wise, he's playing superbly. His showing against Spurs was the best I've ever seen him play in a blue shirt. The Spurs defence actually looked scared to play against him, and whether the 'scratch' was petty or not, that fire is excellent to see in him.

 

Schalke, Bayern, Spurs... no-one can say he's gone missing when called upon. All he needs now is a few goals in the league if Mourinho picks him 

Listening to Torres speak on tv he totally understands the squad use under Jose.He is now playing with confidence and belief but understands that the team will still be rotated.He is our number one striker but i think Eto and to a lesser extent Ba will also score goals.I really hope Torres continues in this vein as he is a joy to watch.We have a fantastic squad and manager but some of our supporters still have that glass is half full attitude which borders on being spoilt.

I would love to hear a massive roar for Torres when the Starting 11 is called out on Saturday. 

That will never happen!!!!

We're not playing on saturday.

I would love to hear a massive roar for Torres when the Starting 11 is called out on Saturday. 

 

You know what, for a player who has largely failed to live up to expectations, the level of support the guy receives on matchdays is immense.

 

I'm not even too sure what he has done to endear himself to the home support that regardless of his form they always will him to do well.

 

He's had more fan backing than some players who weren't big money players. 

What impressed me most is they were the type of chances he used to fluff, especially the one on one. He would have taken one touch, and then another, and then another, and eventually would have been crowded off the ball. Likewise with Hazard's goal, he smartly drew a defender away from Hazard with his run, where before he probably would have run across Hazard's path and ruined the chance. Something has definitely changed, and for the better.

What impressed me most is they were the type of chances he used to fluff, especially the one on one. He would have taken one touch, and then another, and then another, and eventually would have been crowded off the ball. Likewise with Hazard's goal, he smartly drew a defender away from Hazard with his run, where before he probably would have run across Hazard's path and ruined the chance. Something has definitely changed, and for the better.

 

With Torres, less is more.

 

When it's one touch, shot it's much better.

 

First time finishes with headers that he scored and against the bar. First time finish against Bayern too.... He's doing doing things with less touches and is looking the better for it.

 

(Just my opinion anyway). 

to those whinging about eto'o possibly starting...  last game he scored a very good goal, showing quick feet and clinical finishing, and yet without playing inbetween, he is now a terrible option? give me a break. all 3 of our strikers impressed in their last start/game for us, so whoever starts im happy enough. yes torres has done well lately, but ba did very well vs norwich, and eto'o was good aginst cardiff, taking his goal very well. lets just be supportive, not critical

Torres deserves a start on sunday, it's his all round work rate that might swing it. That said if E'too gets the nod I'm sure he will cause them problems too. Either way a one nil win with a og will do me.

 

Cmon you blues!!

You know what, for a player who has largely failed to live up to expectations, the level of support the guy receives on matchdays is immense.

 

I'm not even too sure what he has done to endear himself to the home support that regardless of his form they always will him to do well.

 

He's had more fan backing than some players who weren't big money players. 

Putting on a blue shirt and stepping out onto the pitch should be enough to get fans to support him. Why would people not will him to do well? We want chelsea to win so that means support our players.

Torres is probably thanking his lucky stars we didn't manage to sign Rooney.

 

Yeah, fair enough, I say start him. He may aswell play consistently to keep his confidence up. I really do think Jose will rotate, though, and start Eto'o.

Putting on a blue shirt and stepping out onto the pitch should be enough to get fans to support him. Why would people not will him to do well? We want chelsea to win so that means support our players.

I've seen players not given full backing by the fans in the past despite pulling on the blue shirt, Jokanovic used to come in for all sorts of sh*t when I was going to the Bridge frequently.

Kalou got his share of groans and Sturridge wasn't exactly a fan favourite.

Don't get me wrong I'm proud that our fans have backed Torres but its just surprised me a little.

It wouldn't surprise me if Jose played Eto'o AND Torres on Sunday. 

 

I think they could link up quite nicely thinking about it, with Eto'o just behind Torres. 

Edited October 24, 201312 yr by Sharpy

I'd definitely be starting Torres against City after that performance, despite that Eto'o also had a good game last time out getting a goal and an assist, I think it would be more valuable to keep encouraging Torres.

The main reason he gets stick, and perhaps justified, is his Premier League goal return for us. The Prem's the bread and butter. His scoring record in cup competitions is pretty formidable, and he's pierced the net of some of Europe's giants.

It wouldn't surprise me if Jose played Eto'o AND Torres on Sunday.

I think they could link up quite nicely thinking about it, with Eto'o just behind Torres.

No chance. It's not like they both scored 5 and are tearing the world apart..

It wouldn't surprise me if Jose played Eto'o AND Torres on Sunday. 

 

I think they could link up quite nicely thinking about it, with Eto'o just behind Torres. 

No no & NO, weaken the midfield on the off chance that they might score between them selves no no & NO.

Drogba scored 41 goals in his first 100 Chelsea starts.

Torres has scored 39.

How's that for a flop?

Drogba scored 41 goals in his first 100 Chelsea starts.

Torres has scored 39.

How's that for a flop?

 

Drogba also had two Premier League winners medals. 

Drogba scored 41 goals in his first 100 Chelsea starts.

Torres has scored 39.

How's that for a flop?

 

There are lies, there are damned lies, and there are statistics.

Drogba scored 41 goals in his first 100 Chelsea starts.

Torres has scored 39.

How's that for a flop?

 

 

There are lies, there are damned lies, and there are statistics.

 

I saw that stat the other day and thought of all these stat guys we have on the site, it does make Torres seem like a success, almost that fabled 1 in 2 that every striker strives for.

 

That one stat proves that all the other stats are bullsh*t as well.

Got to say, I was one of those that thought Torres would be shown the door as soon as Jose arrived.

 

I know it's early days and I know we've been here before but I'm beginning to think Torres might have a decent season. He's never going to be the Torres of old nor is he going to compete with the RVPs and Sergio Agueros of this world, but he could prove an asset and he could vindicate Jose's decision to let Lukaku go.

 

I think his performance on Tuesday was overstated. I think he got lucky on the second goal because his touch was awful and he was very fortunate that it bypassed the keeper. I also think his run for Hazard's goal was made to look a lot better by Hazard's adept piece of skill and finish. If Torres were more confident in front of goal he would have carried on running straight, given Hazard the easy option, and finished on his left, but we all know he has no left foot to speak of.

 

However, his performances in his last three games have definitely been encouraging, he has scored 4 goals in those 3 games, and he has shown a far better mentality. Although he deserves credit I can't help thinking the reason I'm more optimistic than usual is because of the manager. Jose has handled Torres incredibly well thus far and shown what a great manager he truly is. He's got inside Nando's mind, clearly. He's got Nando playing for him, and he's released that bit of devil, and as a result it looks like Torres has got his appetite back and is actually enjoying playing. In short, he's being braver. Torres in his pomp, as well as being a great striker was also a warrior. He looks to be getting that back.

 

People worrying whether he will be dropped on Sunday, really ought to chill out. Isn't it clear Jose knows what he's doing? Isn't it clear Jose knows more than all of us put together? I always felt Eto'o would be a good signing and the goals would come, because I trust Jose. 

 

Looking at the way Torres is performing, it's clear we really ought to trust Jose more than ever. He really is a fantastic manager. I'm actually enjoying watching Torres at the moment, which is almost a first, and while I still feel he has an awful long way to go, I have a hunch Jose's just going to pull this one out of the bag, which I would never have foreseen before the season started, and I'm one of Jose's biggest fans.

 

For me, the best thing about Jose Mourinho, is that when it comes to the big calls, on who should partner Terry for example, or who should partner Rambo in the middle, or who should go on loan or who should play up front, I trust in his judgement far more than any other manager out there.

 

I have said it all along since he arrived and people started fretting about his decisions, chill out folks he knows what he is doing.

 

I would have shown Torres the door, sent him on loan, anything. I couldn't believe he survived the summer under Jose. Now we're seeing precisely why he was kept on. I keep thinking of Diego Milito under Jose. Torres is not a dissimilar player. I'm not saying Torres will achieve similar heights under Jose but I bet Jose sees a little bit of Milito in him, and I bet he's hoping for similar results.

 

If he does half as well as Milito I think he'll have more than doubled most of our expectations, and I think it will be one of Jose's finest accomplishments. Jose seemingly really understands how to best utilise Torres, he understands his strengths and weaknesses, and as usual his man-management is coming to the fore.

 

Be interesting to see who he plumps for on Sunday, Torres or Eto'o, and whichever one of them is playing, it will interesting to see how they fare. We may not be as short up front as we initially feared, particularly after Jose's failed attempt to buy Rooney.

 Jose has handled Torres incredibly well thus far and shown what a great manager he truly is. He's got inside Nando's mind, clearly. He's got Nando playing for him, and he's released that bit of devil, and as a result it looks like Torres has got his appetite back and is actually enjoying playing. In short, he's being braver.

 

 Isn't it clear Jose knows what he's doing? Isn't it clear Jose knows more than all of us put together?

 

Looking at the way Torres is performing, it's clear we really ought to trust Jose more than ever. He really is a fantastic manager.

 

I trust in his judgement far more than any other manager out there.

 

I have said it all along since he arrived and people started fretting about his decisions, chill out folks he knows what he is doing.

 

 

Jose seemingly really understands how to best utilise Torres, he understands his strengths and weaknesses, and as usual his man-management is coming to the fore.

So have I got this right? You think we did the right thing in not retaining the FSW?

I think we should have retained him mate .. As the car park attendant.