Atletico coach hints at Torres return

Under the spotlight ... will Fernando Torres return home? Source: Darren Walsh / AAP

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has seemingly opened the door for a possible return of Fernando Torres.

Torres has endured a torrid stay at Stamford Bridge since joining from Liverpool in January 2011 for £50million.

In 74 league games he has scored just 14 times, which is a shadow of his Liverpool form where he hit 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances.

The 29-year-old began his career with Atletico Madrid and is still revered by their fans, and now Simeone has refused to rule out a possible return.

"Fernando Torres is currently playing for another team. We have to wait for the season to finish and decide which of the available players could come here and do a good job," Simeone told Onda Cero. 

"Fernando knows about the club's history, what it means to play here and I don't need to speak about his ability.

"We were team-mates. I know how important he can be."

Simeone admits he does not know if a deal could be struck, adding: "It's complicated. I wouldn't like to say yes or no. He's a player who always performs and we have to respect his choice."

With Chelsea being strongly linked with Atletico's Radamel Falcao - a player-swap plus cash deal has long been mooted. 

Simeone was also quizzed about the future of the Colombian, and said: "I'm not Falcao and I'm not his agent. I'm the manager and have the utmost respect for him, because he gave me so much at River Plate and has done the same here.

"He always gives his all and I really respect players who do that. But everyone makes their own decisions in life. Every person is different, and we have to respect each other. Those who stay are always going to be the best."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8592305/Diego-Simeone-has-refused-to-rule-out-a-bid-for-Fernando-Torres

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Atletico coach hints at Torres return

Under the spotlight ... will Fernando Torres return home? Source: Darren Walsh / AAP

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has seemingly opened the door for a possible return of Fernando Torres.

Torres has endured a torrid stay at Stamford Bridge since joining from Liverpool in January 2011 for £50million.

In 74 league games he has scored just 14 times, which is a shadow of his Liverpool form where he hit 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances.

The 29-year-old began his career with Atletico Madrid and is still revered by their fans, and now Simeone has refused to rule out a possible return.

"Fernando Torres is currently playing for another team. We have to wait for the season to finish and decide which of the available players could come here and do a good job," Simeone told Onda Cero. 

"Fernando knows about the club's history, what it means to play here and I don't need to speak about his ability.

"We were team-mates. I know how important he can be."

Simeone admits he does not know if a deal could be struck, adding: "It's complicated. I wouldn't like to say yes or no. He's a player who always performs and we have to respect his choice."

With Chelsea being strongly linked with Atletico's Radamel Falcao - a player-swap plus cash deal has long been mooted. 

Simeone was also quizzed about the future of the Colombian, and said: "I'm not Falcao and I'm not his agent. I'm the manager and have the utmost respect for him, because he gave me so much at River Plate and has done the same here.

"He always gives his all and I really respect players who do that. But everyone makes their own decisions in life. Every person is different, and we have to respect each other. Those who stay are always going to be the best."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8592305/Diego-Simeone-has-refused-to-rule-out-a-bid-for-Fernando-Torres

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Rio in strife for Torres altercation

Controversy ... Rio Ferdinand in strife for Fernando Torres challenge. Source: Darren Walsh / AAP

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand may face FA action after being involved in an altercation with Chelsea striker Fernando Torres during Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final.

Ferdinand appeared to trip the Spaniard before pushing him in the back in the 86th minute of the clash at Old Trafford.

FA Cup semi-final draw:

Millwall or Blackburn Rovers v Wigan Athletic

Manchester United or Chelsea v Manchester City

Ties to be played at Wembley on the weekend of 13/14 April.

The FA will look again at the footage before deciding what action, if any, to take but Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez refused to be drawn on the incident.

"I haven't seen the replay - you can see the replay," he said when asked for his response. "You have an advantage and can do it now."

Benitez also confirmed he had spoken to Torres about the matter but would not go into any details.

"I don't talk about things that happen on the pitch," he added.

Benitez himself was involved in a spat with his opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson, who appeared to snub the Chelsea boss's handshake before the game, while the pair also failed to shake hands at the final whistle

As for the game itself, Ferdinand was frustrated United let their opponents back into the game after holding a 2-0 advantage.

Two goals in the opening 11 minutes from Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney put the home side in control but a stunning Eden Hazard strike in the second half was followed up by a well-taken Ramires goal as Chelsea earned a replay a Stamford Bridge.

"We gave them the impetus to claw their way back into the game. We played some great football at times but were so careless at times," said Ferdinand.

"If you are careless you are going to get punished. That was the case.

"But we are still in the cup. Wembley is waiting for one of us to go through and hopefully it is us.

"We go to Stamford Bridge for the replay with confidence. We have the tools. We have been there before this season and done well and with the squad we have we don't fear going anywhere."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8556343/Manchester-United-s-Rio-Ferdinand-may-face-FA-action-after-Fernando-Torres-clash 

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Rio in strife for Torres altercation

Controversy ... Rio Ferdinand in strife for Fernando Torres challenge. Source: Darren Walsh / AAP

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand may face FA action after being involved in an altercation with Chelsea striker Fernando Torres during Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final.

Ferdinand appeared to trip the Spaniard before pushing him in the back in the 86th minute of the clash at Old Trafford.

FA Cup semi-final draw:

Millwall or Blackburn Rovers v Wigan Athletic

Manchester United or Chelsea v Manchester City

Ties to be played at Wembley on the weekend of 13/14 April.

The FA will look again at the footage before deciding what action, if any, to take but Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez refused to be drawn on the incident.

"I haven't seen the replay - you can see the replay," he said when asked for his response. "You have an advantage and can do it now."

Benitez also confirmed he had spoken to Torres about the matter but would not go into any details.

"I don't talk about things that happen on the pitch," he added.

Benitez himself was involved in a spat with his opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson, who appeared to snub the Chelsea boss's handshake before the game, while the pair also failed to shake hands at the final whistle

As for the game itself, Ferdinand was frustrated United let their opponents back into the game after holding a 2-0 advantage.

Two goals in the opening 11 minutes from Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney put the home side in control but a stunning Eden Hazard strike in the second half was followed up by a well-taken Ramires goal as Chelsea earned a replay a Stamford Bridge.

"We gave them the impetus to claw their way back into the game. We played some great football at times but were so careless at times," said Ferdinand.

"If you are careless you are going to get punished. That was the case.

"But we are still in the cup. Wembley is waiting for one of us to go through and hopefully it is us.

"We go to Stamford Bridge for the replay with confidence. We have the tools. We have been there before this season and done well and with the squad we have we don't fear going anywhere."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8556343/Manchester-United-s-Rio-Ferdinand-may-face-FA-action-after-Fernando-Torres-clash 

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'Torres has been poorly managed'

Poorly managed ... Yossi Benayoun defends Fernando Torres's development. Source: Petr David Josek / AP

Yossi Benayoun has accused Chelsea of damaging Fernando Torres' career through their mismanagement of the striker.

The Israeli played alongside Torres during his magnificent three-and-a-half-year spell at Liverpool, where he bagged 81 goals in 142 matches.

But the Spaniard has endured a difficult time since his £50m switch to Stamford Bridge and, while he has shown glimpses of his previous form under new boss Rafael Benitez, who signed him at Anfield, Benayoun is concerned he will never be the same player.

"You can understand it is not easy, from being the top striker at Liverpool - he was unbelievable, you gave him the ball and you knew he would score," Benayoun said.

"But he had a bad time in the beginning at Chelsea. When he came in, he was on the bench, then on the pitch.

"He did not get the confidence when he came in. And with the £50m above his head, it is not easy for any player. The situation from the beginning was badly managed with him."

Torres has scored just 25 times in 134 appearances for Chelsea but, with 15 of those goals coming this season, it appears that the 28-year-old is beginning to rediscover his confidence.

"For me, he is still one of the best strikers in the world," added Benayoun. "You do not change so quick from being one of the best in the world, to a player that some people say is not good enough for Chelsea.

"He has had good spells, bad spells, and has 15 or 16 goals already. That is not bad, but hopefully he will finish with 25.

"He just needs to believe in himself. It would be good to get his confidence back and be his old self. Hopefully he will get a few more soon and you will see the real Fernando Torres."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8503774/Yossi-Benayoun-says-Chelsea-to-blame-for-Fernando-Torres-poor-form 

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