How Torres is being forced out of Anfield

The media and journalism industry is often criticised by those around it, with figures within said profession frequently condemned for a questionable grasp of ethics. This attitude is distilled within the mantra “never let the facts get in the way of a good story”, a disparaging and derogative phrase used to signify the supposed mentality of those within the profession. Although the content of this article touches upon a subject very close to my heart, I cannot help but feel that the above phrase mirrors the attitude of those who have written about or commented upon the future of Fernando Torres over the course of the last 12 months. Let me clarify.

Without wanting to preach wildly unfounded hyperbole, I firmly believe that portions of the English and European media have created an incessant campaign systematically designed to facilitate Fernando Torres’ departure from Liverpool Football Club. Fuelled by Liverpool’s financial woes and on-the-pitch decline, several newspapers have consistently linked Torres with moves to nouveau riche Premier League sides Manchester City and Chelsea, despite no direct quotes from the player or the club alluding to such eventualities.

In addition to this, several publications have eschewed the use of direct quotes from the player and those close to him, quotes which have diminished the possibility of a move to either Stamford Bridge or Eastlands. Unlike the vast majority of foreign players who ply their trade on English shores, Fernando Torres actually ‘gets’ and understands the importance of playing for his chosen club.

Prior to his arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2007, Torres was one of the world’s most coveted forwards, one with his pick of the world’s best clubs. Speaking to Martin Samuel in 2009, Torres reiterated the view that his move to Liverpool was not borne of financial gain, stating “I had many offers in football, I had many big clubs to choose from, so I decided on something more than football. The people here, the history, the way everybody comes together, I looked at that...” More recently, Torres further expressed his love for the club and the city by stating, “I hope to be here for a long time and if my daughter speaks English and Scouse, I will be proud.”

Whilst a move to Stamford Bridge would provide Torres with the Champions League football that Liverpool cannot currently provide, such a move would be incompatible with Torres’ oft-repeated assertion that, “Now I feel Liverpool is my English club, the way Atletico is my Spanish club. I would not like to play for another English or Spanish club.”

The credibility of reports concerning Torres’ future reached a nadir yesterday when the player’s agent, Jose Antonio Martin, vehemently denied making comments to a certain daily newspaper over the Spaniard’s Anfield future. Irked by the fabricated nature of comments attributed to him, Martin said "For many months I have not spoken to the England press because their quotes are totally false.”

This morning’s back-page headlines are again dedicated to Liverpool’s number nine, with several newspapers stating that Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to secure Torres’ signing. Now not only would such behaviour constitute the illegal practice of tapping-up (a practice with which Chelsea have a chequered past), but this ‘story’ fails to take account of the fact that the player’s representative is currently in Madrid and the fact that Abramovich has actually been in South Africa for a few days already.

I have no doubt in my mind that Liverpool’s current state will have worried Torres, and it is unsurprising that a player of his calibre has his doubts. However, I can’t help but feel that the unrelenting English media are trying to make the decision for him.

Football FanCast

How Torres is being forced out of Anfield

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