When Rafael Benitez signed Fernando Torres back in the year of 2007, the Premier League got a striker who could lift an entire stadium to its feet when he was on the ball. ‘El Nino’ arrived to Liverpool after impressing with Atletico Madrid early on in his career. The Rojiblancos man was a loyal player to the Spanish club and after rising through their youth ranks became the club captain at the mere age of 19.
He led his side with great responsibility and caught the eye of many around Europe. His arrival to Liverpool was exciting for many but nobody expected him to reach the heights he did at the Merseyside club. Torres took the English league by storm in his very first season and was unstoppable during his first year at the club. He formed a telepathic understanding with Steven Gerrard and Torres racked up goals by the minute as Premier League defences were left speechless to the tornado called “El Nino”.
Back to back hattricks, Premier League Player of the Month awards, most goals in a debut season record, Torres had it all to under his boot in a dream debut season at Anfield. The fearsome Spanish striker ended the year of 2008 after coming third in the Ballon d’Or list and it seemed that Torres was destined for greatness.
His impressive form continued and he was finally signed by Chelsea in 2011 for a then British record transfer fee. However, it was the beginning of cataclysmic demise for the Spaniard as he endured a horrible personal career at Chelsea and ended up with a meagre 45 goals in 172 matches for the Blues.
Although he won several trophies, including the coveted Champions League, Torres could never return to his old form and after a loan spell at Milan, he was finally sold by the Blues as he made an emotional return to his old club, Atletico Madrid.
The Spaniard who left as a cult hero has been reduced to a bit-part role this time, mainly because of his increasing age and also his failure to repeat his old heroics, at Atletico Madrid. Torres has just made two appearances this season for the club and is clearly frustrated with his lack of game time.
It is now being reported that he is angling for a move to the Premier League, to a club of a comparatively smaller stature, where he can play regularly. It has provided a club like Southampton with an ideal opportunity to snap up the Spaniard on a loan deal.
The Saints have scored only 9 goals in 11 league games this season and clearly, their options up front have not clicked, leaving them pondering for a new striker who can bang in goals. If Torres can repeat even a quarter of his Liverpool heroics for Southampton, it is safe to say, the Saints will not rue signing such a high-profile player for the club.
