Fernando Torres Forced Out Of International Friendly With Possible Concussion

Update: Now folks are saying this is a head injury, which is much worse news in terms of possibly recovery periods. If true, I imagine Torres will be tested for concussion and we'll find out more after those results come back.

Update update: The story, according to Spanish television, is that Torres had a clash of heads with an Italy defender, went deaf, and thought he was about to faint, and so wobbled his way off the pitch. The striker went to hospital where he was diagnosed with a 'light' concussion and discharged.

I hate international friendlies. Well, that's not true - I hate international friendlies which involve established Chelsea players. For the stars, there's no reward, only risk, and fielding veterans in a meaningless match strikes me as the very pinnacle of irresponsibility. And now I hate friendlies a little bit more, because one has just injured Fernando Torres, who was hauled off in the 15th minute of Spain vs. Italy, replaced by Fernando Llorente. People are saying this is an ankle injury, but I didn't see him get hit with a tackle or anything that would have caused it.

I'd guess this is precautionary more than anything else It's difficult to tell just how bad any given head injury is without testing. What we do know is that Torres walked off under his own power (although he went straight to the changing room) and it looked as though he'd been trying to play with something wrong for much of the match. We don't have to worry about anything serious here, I don't think, but with the season opener coming up in four days the striker might not be fit to start, restricting Andre Villas-Boas' choices against Stoke.

So, yeah, apparent injured ankle concussion for Torres, it's not too much to be concerned about we have no idea what the prognosis is and international friendlies are still stupid. I'm sure we'll get an update from Chelsea/Spain as soon as they give him a quick once-over.