By Sami Mokbel
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Fernando Torres is facing the embarrassment of being axed for Chelsea's crucial Champions League clash against Juventus as it emerges he wants to move back to Spain.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed last week how Blues owner Roman Abramovich has accepted his 50million gamble on the Spain international has failed and was ready to move the striker out of Stamford Bridge.
And Torres has his heart set on a return to Spain as he looks to recapture the form that made him one of the most feared strikers in the world.
Hard times: Fernando Torres endured another frustration afternoon at West Brom on Saturday
Hard times: Fernando Torres endured another frustration afternoon at West Brom on Saturday
The idea of having the Chelsea failure on his CV certainly irks the ex-Liverpool striker, but he has privately accepted he must leave west London, with Spain his preferred destination.
Potentially, Torres could return to Atletico Madrid as part of Chelsea's move to sign Radamel Falcao.
Torres' disastrous spell at Stamford Bridge plummeted further on Saturday after putting in another lacklustre display in the 2-1 defeat against West Bromwich.
And Roberto Di Matteo is today giving serious consideration to dropping the club's record signing for the trip to Turin.
Last week, Di Matteo admitted any manager would love to have Falcao in his team as Chelsea step up their interest in the Atletico striker.
Abramovich is ready to concede his 50m gamble on Torres has failed and the Blues owner will make funds available for Di Matteo.
Manchester City and Real Madrid are also interested in the 26-year-old Falcao, who scored a stunning hat-trick against Chelsea in the European Super Cup.
On Friday, Di Matteo said: 'Falcao is one of the best strikers, probably, in European and world football. His ratio of goals per game is quite impressive not just this season but over the last three years, at Porto and Atletico Madrid. If you ask any manager, he'd have him in his team.
'I know the window's nearing and there'll be a lot of speculation for our club, but whatever we do we'll keep it behind closed doors.'
Heading out: Fernando Torres has failed to impress again this season at Stamford Bridge
Atletico's prized asset is impressed by the Blues' ambition, saying: 'Chelsea are champions of Europe and there is not much more to say than that. Even after winning the Champions League they still go and sign players of the highest quality. Their ambition is clear.
'I would not be worried about the physical aspect of the Premier League. I have scored goals in Argentina, Portugal and now Spain. I am confident I can adapt my game to any league. I would welcome the challenge of the Premier League.
'I was also a big fan of Gianfranco Zola when I was growing up. I have watched the Premier League for a long time. There is so much quality and it is such an exciting league. Of course it is nice to think I might play in it.'
Financial difficulties mean Atletico will almost definitely have to cash in on the 26-year-old, if not in January then the end of the season. There is a 48m release clause in Falcao's contract.
Chelsea will wait until the summer if necessary — such is the player's loyalty to Atletico he would first like to help them secure Champions League football — but Abramovich's desire to see him at Stamford Bridge is sure to spell the end for the misfiring Torres.
Flying: Falcao has been in stunning form for Atletico Madrid after joining from Porto
After Didier Drogba's departure in the summer, Abramovich had hoped Torres would finally rediscover the form that persuaded him to smash the British transfer record to sign him from Liverpool in 2011.
But the 28-year-old has shown little sign of improvement, scoring only four Premier League goals this season and delivering another disappointing performance against Liverpool last weekend.
It has been mooted in Spain that Torres could return to his beloved Atletico, who sold him to Liverpool for 25m in 2007, as part of the deal that takes Falcao to London. Chelsea defender David Luiz would certainly welcome the arrival of Falcao.
After facing the Atletico star in the 1-1 draw between Brazil and Colombia in New Jersey on Wednesday night, Luiz said: 'I'm happy when there are great names attached to Chelsea. He's a great player. It would be a good choice for Falcao to come to Chelsea. All of the players would be happy.'
Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle is a possible alternative but it is clear Falcao wants to move. In an interview earlier this week he told Radio Caracol: 'The chance of playing in another league and for another club will come. I keep dreaming.'
This is going to be the game of the tournament...Italian stallions vs Stamford lions....if Chelsea can get out of this group.They will go far in the tournament..when a proper striker comes to this team...beware, this team will transform into a beast..they have created the most chance's in BPL.. They are the most creative midfield in the league since the era of Arsenal's invincibles...only missing link is the ST...atm they only have one proper ST,Sturridge...Torres is lost..
- Abin , USA junction, 20/11/2012 02:15
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