It is up to the disgression of the non-Chelsea supporter as to whether Fernando Torres is in form as of late. I say this because I am sure that us Blues agree that the man who has given his everything to restoring his scoring ways in important matches is most definitely in-form. The footballer who has used the negativity of the media to recreate himself and score world-class goals. The footballer who carried the Blues to glory in the Europa league, scoring nearly every match, including the opener of the final that saw us crowned European Champions for a second consecutive year. And speaking of European Champions, his goal against the unbeatable giants, Barcelona in last year's Champions league, that won Chelsea the match, and won us our first Champions League. He has another successful European season under his belt this year, after finishing the 2012/13 run with 23 Chelsea goals. He recently became the first player, along with compatriot Juan Mata, to be a champion of the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA EURO cup, and World Cup all at one time. Not to mention, Torres also holds the golden boot award for the most recent Euro Cup, which he won after scoring a goal and then assisting to Juan Mata within minutes of coming onto the pitch in the 4-0 Spanish domination final, over Italy.
Fernando Torres is no flop ladies and gentlemen.
So, why does it remain such speculation whether or not he will start or even be called up to Spain?
THE BREAKDOWN:
Spain's 26-man call up for this year's Confederations Cup includes Cesar Azpilicueta, Juan Mata, and Fernando Torres, of course. After an impressive run towards the end of this season, especially in Europa League, del Bosque saw that Torres, as well as our other Spanish Blues, were worthy of being included in this prestigious squad, which features players like recent Champions League Winner Javi Martinez as well as call-up regulars Xavi, Iniesta, and Cesc Fabregas.
That's plenty of inconic midfielders.
Plently of well-known and trusty defenders.
But what about strikers?
The world watched in awe as Spain evolved their tiki-taka style over recent years to incredible levels, most notably with their famous "false 9" formation. Essentially, a lineup without a striker. 6 midfielders, 4 'backs, and that's all. This lineup left little room for Torres. But now, his scintillating goal-scoring abilities are absolutely crucial for the Spanish squad, ahead of the Confederations Cup in a few weeks' time and next year's World Cup.
Roberto Soldado is a bit of newbie to the Spanish squad and could be overlooked by Del Bosque in such a prestigious tournament as the Confederations Cup, which Spain has yet to add to their trophy cabinet. It's David Villa the Spanish manager is really going to be focusing on in terms of strikers if he doesn't look to Torres. With Pedro and Fabregas upholding more of an assitant midfielder's position due to their downplayed positions on Barcelona, playing alongside the powerhouse that is Messi, as well as Alexis Sanchez, it's hard to continue converting them into the power strikers Spain needs. Like the tiki-taka, the false 9 cannot live on forever.
So it's crucial that Del Bosque looks to Fernando's abilities. No, he doesn't play for Barcelona. Or Real Madrid. Or any other team in the Spanish Liga for that matter. But at the aformentioned clubs, where most of the 26-man squad hail from, the star players are not Spanish. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the icons and posterboys that do all of the heavy lifting (and scoring) at Barca and Real cannot help out the Spanish boys when it comes to international play. Fernando Torres, however, is that star striker posterboy forward, for Chelsea. Not a Liga club, but we are the Double European Champions, and that's got to count for something. David Villa is a bright choice... but after his injury and the ongoing evolution of Messi, he's been kicked to the curb at Barcelona and has failed to get enough play time. Fernando Torres, on the other hand, is fresh. He has played every match of Chelsea's Europa League run this season as well as participated in 64 matches for Chelsea in the 12/13 season alone. It's time that Del Bosque stopped overlooking Premier League players for the common first-choice La Liga stars. Our Spanish trio has an incredible amount of skill to offer. It's very obvious that Fernando Torres is the best option for Spain and not by default. He's fit. He's scoring. And he's earned it. He has shown that he is truly the best.
Spain Provisional Squad, Confederations Cup 2013
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose {Pepe} Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar
Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio
Ramos (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi
Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Javi Garcia (Manchester City),
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Juan Mata (Chelsea),
Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City) Xavi
(Barcelona).
Forwards: Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), David Villa (Barcelona).