Is it a sign of ignorance or a determination to prove the doubters wrong? Whatever Andre Villas-Boas’ motives are for the continuous selection of Fernando Torres as Chelsea’s central striker, whether it be belief or stubbornness, it’s far from being rewarded.
The £50 million man – who is fast becoming the most expensive mistake in English football history – cut a frustrated figure as he trudged off the Stamford Bridge pitch after another drab and goalless first half this time against Championship side Birmingham. Behind and looking blunt in front of goal Villas-Boas took the decision to withdraw Torres off and shift Daniel Strurridge from the right and play him through the middle. The impact was instant with the 22-year-old nodding in the Blues’ equaliser and sparing their FA Cup blushes against the Championship side. The goal also gave credibility to Sturridge’s declaration that he should be deployed as the spearhead of Chelsea’s attacking prong.
What the Spaniard couldn’t do in forty-five minutes on Saturday the Englishman accomplished in a little over fifteen. Where Torres appeared colourless and bereft of confidence Sturridge gave the Blues an extra dimension in the final third. His pace and direct style of play caused all sorts of problems for the Midlanders. It’s not surprising to see him proclaim his despondency at being shunted out to the right of Chelsea’s attacking trio. “I just want to continue playing for Chelsea and, from there, I want to start playing as a striker and then try and play for England as a striker.” Sturridge said, “That’s my aim, to be a No 9 for England.” 11 goals from out wide this season must surely warrant a chance in his preferred position especially considering he’s outscored all of his striking rivals. Yet Villas-Boas remains afraid to alter the striking hierarchy in West London leaving Strurridge frustrated and mulling over whether a move away would secure more opportunities as a centre forward.
It’s a strange one considering Torres’ struggle to tap into a consistent vein of form 12 months after his £50 million from Liverpool. He’s scored just FIVE goals since. On the other hand Sturridge has bagged 19 in that time including eight whilst on loan at Bolton during the latter half of the previous season. Goals only tell half the story. Sturridge has been one of the shining lights for Chelsea this season displaying the capability to positively influence games in their favour – something Torres used to do with ease at Anfield.
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He’s a pale imitation of the forward that used to strike fear into the hearts of opposition defenders whenever the ball dropped at his feet. A sharp turn was followed by a rapid burst of pace and finish deadlier than a black widow’s bite. You’d think that overly descriptive sentence would be about Torres but no, it’s Strurridge who exhibits that on a weekly basis nowadays. It only evokes memories of the forlorn Spaniard.
In spite of his shortcomings and Chelsea’s fall from grace Villas-Boas continues to show faith in Torres leaving Sturridge out in the wilderness of the wings. How can’t the Portuguese determine what everyone else has already? Torres just isn’t delivering and it’s dragging the club downwards. The 34-year-old former Porto coach is under increasing pressure to turn around a season that is fast becoming the worst during the Roman Abramovich era. Out of the title race in mid-February and stuttering against Championship opposition. The Russian owners hopes of Champions League glory also appear to be slim leading to Villas-Boas’ capacity to deal with stress of managing a club of this magnitude being brought into question. You’d think he would do what is necessary to guarantee a top four finish. Replacing Torres with Sturridge would go a long way to achieving that goal. But it’s as if he’s afraid of dropping Torres and delivering another missile to his already sunken morale.
It appears to me that Villas-Boas wants to be the man to coax Torres out of his slump. To prove his credentials by turning around a player many have given up on. But it’s coming at a cost to both the club he manages and a player who has performed consistently in an unfavoured position. What kind of message does that send out to Sturridge? Sorry Daniel, you’ve been our best player all season but you’ll have to play second fiddle to an expensive disaster. The England international’s statement of intent could be considered self-centred considering he’s achieved very little in his short career thus far compared to his Spanish teammate. Maybe that’s the perspective his manager has taken. An experienced World Cup winner over a player still considered a rough diamond. No wonder Chelsea are in disarray if thats the way Villas-Boas selects his starting eleven.
On the evidence of their performances this season Sturridge deserves a chance to prove he can fulfil the role as Chelsea’s striking avant-garde. Should those opportunities not be forthcoming then the possibility of him upping sticks and moving elsewhere is increasingly probable.
Is Villas-Boas really prepared to lose one of the brightest talents in English football to prove a point? It’s looking increasingly so.
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