There's a Guardian piece out today that's essentially an extended Fernando Torres monologue, wherin the striker discusses why he left Liverpool, how he ended up at Chelsea, and what he thinks of the new club. We already more or less knew why he left the club where he became a superstar - the rebuilding effort would take long enough that Torres would no longer be in his prime by the time Liverpool were again competitive, but it was interesting to see how he got to Chelsea after wanting to leave Anfield.
What other teams could I have gone to? I couldn't go to [Manchester] United out of respect for Liverpool. Or [Real] Madrid, because of my past. I don't think Barcelona needed anyone. I didn't like the idea of Italy. Chelsea were the only club left. There was only one option. In fact, I thought there were no options at all until Chelsea appeared out of nowhere [in January]. The idea was in my head before but it was a long way from being a reality.
And then suddenly one day, 20 days before [the end of the transfer window], the opportunity appeared. I didn't expect it; it was like a light bulb coming on in a long, dark passageway. I thought that the six months left at Liverpool this season would feel like three years.
You don't often think of Roman Abramovich as a knight in shining armour coming to sweep people off their feet, but that apparently exactly how it felt to Torres. It's interesting that Chelsea were his first choice team, too - and that neither Arsenal nor Manchester City made his list. City could probably be explained away by their relatively lowly status, and Arsenal are never going to spend that kind of money on anyone, but it's a little odd Torres doesn't choose to dismiss them in the same way as Manchester United, Madrid, or Barcelona.
Despite still not having broken his Chelsea scoring duck, Torres is more than happy at the club, claiming a superior dressing room atmosphere, which might surprise a few critics who've been convinced that factions and are emerging inside the club:
I have been surprised by the atmosphere in the dressing room, considering there are so many stars. There is more of personal relationship and jokes between players than there was at Liverpool.
Torres is painting a picture of good camaraderie at Stamford Bridge, which is fairly reassuring given the fact that he hasn't looked happy when he's been playing for us. I'm more than happy to take him at his word that he's enjoying life as a Blue rather than criticise him for his body language. With Torres rapidly fitting in (although, alas, any attempt to play him alongside Didier Drogba has resulted in failure), I'd expect to see him score for us fairly soon. Once the first goal is over and done with, there's no reason he cannot reclaim his position as one of the best in the world.