Football 2010-2011

[eFestivals]

Torres staying at Liverpool

Whilst I don't believe for a second his "My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed." statement, this must be great news for Liverpool fans. I assume this means he's been given assurances about the sale of the club.

I reckon it's far more difficult to work out his real views from made-up newspaper bullshit than for most players.

From what he's said before the last season, it appeared that he's far less mercenary than most players - and it's certainly the case that (of English clubs) he's a Liverpool fan at heart, and that they're the Prem club he'd want to be playing for in ideal circumstances.

Of course, for a player of his calibre, Liverpool's performances last season were well below the level he'd have wanted, but he might be honest enough to admit that he was a part of why they weren't as good as they should have been. The comments about needing more/better players might have simply been borne out of frustration of how things went - he's surely not so daft to be thinking that the squad quality will always have them perform at that level, cos while they might be short of being title winners they're not as bad overall as last season's blip.

Added to that is the fact that he was happy to stay at Athletico who are short of being a top team, and only left cos they needed to cash him in. So that seems to indicate that being happy with the team he's with is at least as important to him as trophies (tho of course I'm not saying he doesn't want trophies).

There was also the issues around his injuries, with Rafa getting him back to almost fit instead of him getting the operation he felt he needed, and that when he did finally get his op it was so late in the season it ended up screwing his WC. I don't suppose that made him think well of Rafa.

So all in all I'm not hugely surprised to hear him professing his love for the club, and seemingly staying for at least one more season - it looks like things at the club are moving in the right direction from his point of view, and if the club is sold in the next few weeks as is being suggested then that's likely to improve things further.

It's not certain that there's been other options for him anyway. While there's been lots of paper talk, Mancini's recent comments suggested that Shitty hadn't made a bid for him, and while they might have made enquiries they did the same last year and he wasn't interested in them then, and I can't see why anything might have changed there. And if Chelsea have made a bid my money is on it having been a speculative one of around £30M rather than something nearer to his real value - which would suggest they're not desperate for him. Plus if he went, how much would he play anyway? I can't see him replacing Drogba just yet. Of other clubs there's only really Inter right now, cos he defo wouldn't go to Real, and I'm not sure he'd go to Barca either ... and he isn't going to team up with Rafa again, is he?

Edited August 3, 2010 by eFestivals

[Cardboard Box City]

I thought that had fallen through months ago.

[The Nal]

snip

[eFestivals]

David Villa said he was surprised Torres didnt join Chelski. He said he was talking to him after the WC final about it and was sure Torres was gone. So yes, maybe Chelskis valuation of him didnt meet Liverpools but it looks like Torres wanted out for whatever reason.

I think you're putting an inference on things that's only guesswork, and might well be wide of the mark.

If Torres &/or Villa thought Chelsea were bidding for him, they quite possibly thought it would be a substantial bid that Liverpool wouldn't be able to refuse - and so he'd be gone.

That could be all there is to it - I don't remember reading anything which was saying that Torres wanted to join Chelsea, tho of course I'm sure the lure of almost-guaranteed trophies would be something he'd consider if he felt he was properly wanted. If the bid (if there was a bid) didn't go much past £30M, then I don't think he'd feel that wanted anyway.

[Wooderson]

If LFC were to have another poxy season like last theres not a single Reds fan on the planet that would blame Fernando for leaving. He has done the right thing by giving it at least one more year. As Neil says he is clearly a Liverpool fan and all speculation can go for at least a few months. If Chelsea were keen they would have made a 50million bid. They didnt and he's still a Reds player which pleases me greatly. About time to be fair!

- - -

As for the comments from David Villa - I'm not sure it makes sense to listen to anything that Barca players say any more. Apart from Tevez I havent seen similar comments from one other club in the close season. Say what you like about widespread tapping up - but Barca have done themselves no favours this summer.

[Steve P]

It's not certain that there's been other options for him anyway. While there's been lots of paper talk, Mancini's recent comments suggested that Shitty hadn't made a bid for him, and while they might have made enquiries they did the same last year and he wasn't interested in them then, and I can't see why anything might have changed there. And if Chelsea have made a bid my money is on it having been a speculative one of around £30M rather than something nearer to his real value - which would suggest they're not desperate for him. Plus if he went, how much would he play anyway? I can't see him replacing Drogba just yet. Of other clubs there's only really Inter right now, cos he defo wouldn't go to Real, and I'm not sure he'd go to Barca either ... and he isn't going to team up with Rafa again, is he?

[The Nal]

I think you're putting an inference on things that's only guesswork, and might well be wide of the mark.

If Torres &/or Villa thought Chelsea were bidding for him, they quite possibly thought it would be a substantial bid that Liverpool wouldn't be able to refuse - and so he'd be gone.

That could be all there is to it - I don't remember reading anything which was saying that Torres wanted to join Chelsea, tho of course I'm sure the lure of almost-guaranteed trophies would be something he'd consider if he felt he was properly wanted. If the bid (if there was a bid) didn't go much past £30M, then I don't think he'd feel that wanted anyway.

[eFestivals]

The thing is, although when fit he's a superb player, his injury record over the last few seasons must put a real cloud over him in terms of signing for one of the top champions league clubs. Can he really be relied upon to base your attack around? I'm sure there were enquiries, but there was always likely to be big differences in valuations. One thing i'm certain of though, if Liverpool aren't in the top 4 this season then he'll leave.

While I think you're probably right with that last sentence, what you say before it is something to put it in doubt - especially when you consider that his options for any "top" clubs in Europe are much more limited than for just about all other players of his calibre.

He defo won't go to Real or Inter, and given that Abramovic is being much more careful with his money nowadays (and Cole's injury record is meant to have had something to do with him going), I'm not sure he'd want to shell out on a player with his injury record no matter how good he might be when fit. And given that Torres has shown no interest in Shitty for two summers now, I don't think he'd go there.

So there's not really many options.

[eFestivals]

Oh I know, Im only reporting what Villa said - strange if it wasnt true since theyre mates and all. (not saying it aint bollocks though)

Oh, I know what Villa said - but what he said wasn't that "Torres wants to leave" but "I expect Torres to join Chelsea" (or words to that effect).

All I was trying to do was point out that difference in meaning - your initial post implied (to me, anyway) that you'd thought Villa had said it because that's what he thought Torres wants to do, when that's not certain from what he actually said (or at least, what I've read of what he said).

[The Nal]

Oh, I know what Villa said - but what he said wasn't that "Torres wants to leave" but "I expect Torres to join Chelsea" (or words to that effect).

All I was trying to do was point out that difference in meaning - your initial post implied (to me, anyway) that you'd thought Villa had said it because that's what he thought Torres wants to do, when that's not certain from what he actually said (or at least, what I've read of what he said).

[Jaybles]

Been following Pompey in court today, sounds like the best part of the day has been spent on legal arguments between the two parties

Wont know anything till Thursday though.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/custompages/custompage.aspx?pageid=82690

[eFestivals]

Im still surprised he said it and would be also surprised if there wasnt some substance behind it.

"After I spoke with him at the World Cup I thought he would sign for Chelsea. I think it must only be that Chelsea did not meet Liverpool's valuation. Because, if they had, I am sure he would have made the move."

What I from that is Villa and Torres spoke and Torres indicated he was maybe interested in going to Chelski. No smoke without fire, regardless of Barcas smearing-everyone-in-world-football campaign. Villa should have kept his mouth shut though.

See, I read it different - I read it as Torres having said something about him thinking he's on his way to Chelsea, not that he necessarily wants to be going to Chelsea.

At the end of the day it's on about the same level as a manager saying of another team's player "so-and-so is a great player", which the press then turn into that manager wanting to sign that player when that's not necessarily what was ever meant.

[Cardboard Box City]

Is there a reason why the Spanish league starts two weeks later than England but finishes at the same time?

[Steve P]

While I think you're probably right with that last sentence, what you say before it is something to put it in doubt - especially when you consider that his options for any "top" clubs in Europe are much more limited than for just about all other players of his calibre.

He defo won't go to Real or Inter, and given that Abramovic is being much more careful with his money nowadays (and Cole's injury record is meant to have had something to do with him going), I'm not sure he'd want to shell out on a player with his injury record no matter how good he might be when fit. And given that Torres has shown no interest in Shitty for two summers now, I don't think he'd go there.

So there's not really many options.

[The Nal]

See, I read it different - I read it as Torres having said something about him thinking he's on his way to Chelsea, not that he necessarily wants to be going to Chelsea.

Edited August 3, 2010 by The Nal

[Steve P]

Is there a reason why the Spanish league starts two weeks later than England but finishes at the same time?

[TheGayTent]

Well you are apparently signing that w*nker for £9million

[eFestivals]

My missus needs glasses.

Last night we were discussing which fixtures we might get to this season, as she'd looked at the fixture list during the day. When talking of the away games we're likely to get to, she said "... and there's Bristol City in April".

I said "eh? I hadn't noticed that when I'd looked. I guess it's a return friendly*, tho the timing in April is a strange one for a friendly."

(*cos they'd played each other at the Rec a couple of weeks ago)

So anyway, off I go to the Shots website to look at the fixtures again, and there's no Bristol City fixture .... but there is one at Bradford City.

[The Beard]

I have just put twenty quid on Kris Boyd to be Championship top scorer at 8/1.

Also done a £5 accumulator on Chelsea, Forest, Southampton all winning their divisions, returns over £400

[eFestivals]

I have just put twenty quid on Kris Boyd to be Championship top scorer at 8/1.

Also done a £5 accumulator on Chelsea, Forest, Southampton all winning their divisions, returns over £400

That's great odds for Boyd - am pretty sure you're onto a winner with that one.

Not so sure about the accumulator tho - Soton are a near-certain bet, but the others less so. Mind you, it's a very decent punt for a fiver.

[ampersand]

boyd will not finish top scorer. not a hope in hell.

if he does, then the championship isn't as good as i gave it credit for.

[eFestivals]

boyd will not finish top scorer. not a hope in hell.

if he does, then the championship isn't as good as i gave it credit for.

Blimey, makes a change for a Scot to be the one dissing Scottish footie the most.

[Cardboard Box City]

Also done a £5 accumulator on Chelsea, Forest, Southampton all winning their divisions, returns over £400

[Cardboard Box City]

I have just put twenty quid on Kris Boyd to be Championship top scorer at 8/1.

[eFestivals]

I know, it could put us on a par with the SPL!

I suggested a long time ago that the top of the SPL is about the level of bottom of the Prem/top of the Champs.

Ampersand was one of those who responded with something like "you're only saying it's that poor cos you know nothing about Scottish football and because you hate anything Scottish" (which was probably treated with the contempt such a comment deserved).

I wonder what's changed for him to now be saying that it's far worse than I'd said?

Or perhaps it just that he hates everything Scottish?