How Torres fares against his former employers in the Chelsea v Liverpool clash at Stamford Bridge today is a small part of a new chapter for both Premier League clubs. Liverpool, with Suarez and Carroll in their ranks and Kenny Dalglish leading them, claim to have ‘moved on from Torres’. Chelsea, with Torres and Luiz in their squad and an expectation to spend more in the summer, feel that Torres is just the starting point to their renewed drive for success.
Torres on Chelsea v Liverpool:
“Chelsea, in the last few years, have proved they are one of the best and now I have the chance to join them. Liverpool have more history, but Chelsea have more options and are building a great history and future.”
Torres on Hodgson, effectively proving what everyone thought about Hodgson’s appointment – the wrong man at the wrong time for the wrong set of players:
“Hodgson came with his ideas about football, his tactics and methods. I think maybe we never understood what Hodgson wanted or Hodgson never understood us. I think that is not his fault, he’s a great man and a great manager.”
Torres, clearing up the confusion on who he supports (for Liverpool fans, in case they had any doubts, and Chelsea fans, in case they get delusional):
“I never kissed the Liverpool badge. I did it when I was in Atletico. I loved Atletico, my former club.
When you join a club you want to do the best for the club and yourself, some people want to kiss the badge, they can do it, but I only want to score goals.
When I was born in Madrid I was not a Liverpool fan, I was not a Chelsea fan, I only was an Atletico Madrid fan, and I am an Atletico Madrid fan.”
Ancelotti, on his likely formation for today:
“I think it is not a problem, it is a challenge. A good challenge for everyone – for myself and also for the players. I think that they are able to play together. Obviously we have to try it in the training sessions, but I think Anelka played very well against Bolton in that position behind the strikers. So this is good news.”
With Arsenal only gaining a point and United dropping all three, this is an excellent chance for Chelsea to catch up to the league leaders. That is, if they can accommodate Torres and beat Liverpool in the process.
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