Rafa Benitez to Chelsea, Torres to follow for £40m

[jd_1984]

We will know if this is true by the end of the weekend. I doubt it myself but its hot gossip at the moment!

[Jan1957]

Just been on Liverpool site and they are refusing to sell Torres. Surprised actually that Chelsea offered 35 million for him.

[lesblue]

It's the silly season............

[jd_1984]

Jan - That was the offical stance at 9am this morning, but rumours pooring in that the offer has been increased and that if Rafa was appointed, Torres would follow as he has great respect for his countryman

[Jan1957]

The way he's played this season they can have him.

[lesblue]

^^^^^NO WE CAN'T.........either of them.........

[jd_1984]

2 years ago Chelsea would have paid £60m. If a players worth was based on his last 10 performances, he would be worth £15m at best!
Rafa is still a highly respected and sought after manager, despite being sacked twice in a year. And Chelsea not guaranteed Champ League at the moment, the league is so unpredictable! Could be time for a change

[Ric.ror]

"Rafa is still a highly respected and sought after manager, despite being sacked twice in a year"
Who is he 'highly respected' and 'sought after' by?
Chelsea can't be thinking of making ANOTHER managerial mistake can they?

[WELSHYORKIE]

I hope so!!

[DTCwordfan]

Last 10 performances - back off Torres - isn't it 4 goals now under Kenny's regime.....maybe it took a decent manager to motivate him.

[chelle7272]

let's hope so DT but he really hasn't improved his game that much and his attitude at the moment leaves a lot to be desired.

[jd_1984]

DT - I am an LFC fan and made up with Torres recent form (last 3 games) but you can not say that he looked motivated during November/December. His head was down, his touch was off. He has a poor world cup too. He will fetch big money because potentially, he can turn a game around and could well be the best striker in the world (on his day) I hope Kenny inspires this kind of form. If so, I will be very excited to see how the end of the season pans out.

[eyethenkyew]

I believe Torres has a £50M get out clause? ("Just" the £50M) The world's gone mad!

[DTCwordfan]

well they are 7th and on the way up, I would say give Kenny and the team to the end of the season and then consider the team.....and the likes of Torres. He would still be attractive to a Chelsea (Man City? Man Utd?) Real etc even if he doesnt keep up the recent spark of play..... I too am a Liverpool fan being originally from the NW and the first match I ever saw was the derby against the Blues. My old man's mate was an Evertonian and so I backed the Reds......

[jd_1984]

Torres has stated many times that he is happy at Liverpool and hungry for the challenges ahead. He says his family are settled in Merseyside and that he always homuors his contracts (2013 in Liverpools case). He would be 28/29 in 2013 and we would get a great return on him in 2 years if he stays in form and un-injured(remember we snatched him for £20m from Athletico). So lets hope he is true to his word!

[jd_1984]

*honours*

[jd_1984]

Ric.ror - Rafa still has credibiltiy for what he did at Valencia (twice La Liga Champions and UEFA Cup winners) between 2001 - 2004. His early success at Liverpool (before Yanks took over) also boosts his credibiltiy ( 2 champs league finals winning it in 2005). He went to Inter, and filled massive boots left by Mourhino, he took them to the world club cup final, but poor league performances and poor champs league matches saw him leave under "mutual" agreement.

[pa___ul3]

I see Nando's handed in a transfer request which has been rejected. I really hope he changes his mind now we've got Suarez to partner him, that would be devastating just as things are looking up!

[jd_1984]

He begged the club to make good signings and to strengthen the squad. In Suarez, he now has a great strike partner, potentially best duo in the league. So why now hand the request in, the club has made the investment he asked for? And if Chelsea continue there on/off form, no guarantee they will play Champions League football, Tottenham are looking strong at the moment, I can Chelsea finishing 5th. If he goes I hope Chelsea dont qualify for Champs League and that Liverpool are strong in the 2011/2012 season, he might live to regret the move. But I still feel confident he wont go, but then why keep him if he doesnt want to be there? Hopefully Kenny and co can convince him that Liverpools fortunes are changing and they will once again be in the "top 4".
No one player is bigger than a club, especially not a club like Liverpool, but it would be a major setback for us as Suarez will need a few matches to settle in, we need goals now to continue climbing the league!
Dont go Nando!!