How good is Fernando Torres?

[MrMichael]

If you could ONLY have SG or Torres in your side who would you have?

Stevie G, but only just.

I think Gerrard walks into our best ever XI. In fact, impossible comparisson that it maybe, however he's possibly our second best ever behind Kenny.

Torres is probably the best finisher in the world right now, and will be getting up there alongside Rush and Fowler, but I don't think he's surpassed the latter, and especially the former just yet. He may do if he stays another 5 years or more, but not yet imo.

Therefore I'd take Gerrard.

[sambirken]

I know this is a bit off topic but on the official site, rush is talking about torres' willingness to pressure opponents, which gives us a great advantage. I completely agree. He then goes on to say this

"I believe there are strikers who are happy to score whether they win, draw or lose. Thierry Henry for example. But I was brought up at Liverpool knowing the team comes first, goals second.

Is that not a bit unfair on Henry? or am i missing something here? I know Torres works hard for the team but i don't think there are many players playing for the top 4 who are happy when they score and lose.

or am i over-estimating the attitudes of the players here?

[MrMichael]

I sort-of know what he means, but yeah, it is a bit unfair on Henry, in his absolute pomp Henry scored against, well, everyone and Arsenal just didn't really lose, so the point is slightly immaterial. You did get the impression at times that he played as much for the love of football as the love of his club, but I think that's just about demeanour.

[JRC]

The first sentence of the first post was pertinent. How many headers has he scored this season? Is he now officailly the most dangerous forward when the ball is coming in in the air? I always expected him to get a few with his head - he's big, brave and athletic, and has a golascorers knack of seeing the run, the space etc - hence the goals against City and Chelsea amongst others, where he just saw it sooner and got there first; but it is the traditional 'British' CF power headers he has got which have surprised me this season, looking back - Portsmouth almost being a transition, as it was movement and awareness that got him the space and the chance - but sheer power (from his technique as much as the cross, btw) that beat James. In the recent run he has outjumped Samba - one of the best defenders of crosses in the League - and scored one against the Toon (iirc) which was ALL about neck muscles, as the ball was just floated in. The one against Spurs was a magnificent header, combining all the skills - movement, jump, power - so much power - and accuracy. I'm not sure that was in his armoury before he came here, or even last season.

[dww]

I sort-of know what he means, but yeah, it is a bit unfair on Henry, in his absolute pomp Henry scored against, well, everyone and Arsenal just didn't really lose, so the point is slightly immaterial. You did get the impression at times that he played as much for the love of football as the love of his club, but I think that's just about demeanour.

I think the way it comes across is unfair in that implies that Henry didn't care about the team. However I think there is a valid point to be made that Henry's movement and runs were all about either getting in a position to score or if he wasn't getting enough of the ball centrally getting himself involved wide. He didn't harry defenders so much as allow the threat of his pace to scare them into mistakes.

[-V-]

He is so good that with him in the team 100% fit Im pretty sure we can win the league next season. But if he breaks his leg or something then Im 100% sure we have no chance