Fernando Torres vs Nicolas Anelka – Premiership’ best striker Part Two!

FFC columnist Johnny Smithers continues with his Premiership head to head's and in the 3rd installment of his six part series.

As we have entered the important Christmas period and see out the remainder of 2007, I have decided to look back over the first half of this season and pick out, in a series of head to heads, the players who have really stood out so far this season. Some have been crackers like Cristiano Ronaldo and some have been complete turkey's like Darren Bent – After much criticism I received in comparing both Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor, I have turned my focus to Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka and will then make a decision of which striker will join Tim Cahill in my end of year awards.

Nicolas Anelka:

If ever there was a footballer in World Football that has failed to live up to his potential, then it has to be Nicolas Anelka. The guy has every attribute that you could want, pace, two good feet, strong in the air, deadly finisher and can simply be unplayable when in the mood. I always felt Stan Collymore had similar abilities and wasted his precocious talent but Anelka must go down as one of football's great mysteries. Whoever his advisor is need his head examining as this great player has achieved nothing in his career but large signing on fees. He simply had the potential to be one of Europe's great strikers but like a lot of big talents something in the upstairs apartment just isn't right.

At Bolton this season, despite their poor start, Anelka has maintained his good form and chipped in with 10 Premiership goals which is an excellent return, considering the trotters troubled season. He makes goalscoring look easy and with all due respect to Bolton, Anelka should be playing at a much higher level. Every given week he is linked with either a Chelsea or a Man Utd and really feel that Gary Megson will have his work cut out in trying to keep the Frenchman at the Reebok this January.

Vs

Fernando Torres:

The Spaniard has been a breath of fresh air in the Premiership and has certainly proved his doubters wrong. Many believe that Rafa had spent way over the odds on a player whose scoring record wasn't so hot in Spain and you could forgive those Liverpool fans who were worried they may have another Morientes on their hands. 9 goals in the Premiership alone has already gone a long way in shutting up those who doubted Rafa' judgment.

Bags of energy, pace, two good feet and strong in the air, Liverpool may have finally found their complete centre forward. I have spoken to a lot of Liverpool fan's who see a likeness with Ian Rush and you only hope Torres can emulate the Kop legend. Rafa Benitez has received a lot of criticism of late about his rotation policy which I have always never seen a problem (It only seems to be a problem when they lose) but I don't understand why Torres, like Gerrard and Carragher isn't the first name on Rafa' team sheet. He is simply World Class and like your Berbatov's at Tottenham or your Wayne Rooney at Man Utd; you simply have to build the rest of your side around them. Feed them and they'll deliver.

There is no doubt in my mind that if Torres played week in week out, he will finish the top scorer in the Premiership. He settled into the English game like a duck to water and can only get better. Torres is also clued up and has his head firmly screwed on. Liverpool could build a Championship winning side around this player and that is why it is so vital that Benitez isn't ousted from the club by Gillett and Hicks. If Rafa was to leave who played a major part in Torres joining then you fear the young Spaniard may want out too.

Verdict:

Well for me they are both top class strikers and certainly two of the best in the Premiership. In this head to head. I judge both players on their attributes and if they were both playing on a level playing field and at their full potential. I would have to go with Torres being slightly ahead on points just because he simply doesn't blow hot and cold, but it really is to close to call and no doubt many would see it differently.