Fernando Torres reveals £50m Chelsea move was not a smash and grab affair

04 February 2011 17:38
Fernando Torres has revealed that Chelsea made their move for him long before the close of the Januarytransfer window as he promised Liverpool fans the full story behind hiscontroversial Anfield exit. [LNB]The Blues' record-breaking swoop forTorres looked to have been a classic smash-and-grab affair, with the?50million deal sealed shortly before Monday's 11pm deadline and onlyfour days after the Reds confirmed they had rejected a ?35million bidfor the striker. [LNB]But Torres revealed during hisunveiling as a Chelsea player at a jam-packed press conference thisafternoon that he learnt Chelsea had approached Liverpool '10 days or12 days' before the window shut, demonstrating the Barclays PremierLeague champions had spent some time attempting to prise him away fromMerseyside. [LNB] Swapping shirts: Fernando Torres (left) joins forces with John Terry (right)[LNB]Torres also confirmed that was the point when he told the Reds hierarchy he wanted to leave, which was at least a week before he submitted a written transfer request. [LNB]'As soon as I knew that Liverpool and Chelsea were talking about that, I told them then that the decision was made and I would like them to talk seriously about the possibility,' he said. [LNB]'I was the first one to go straight to the manager and all the people to tell them I wanted to leave.'[LNB] Torres revealed upon signing for Chelsea that it was last summer when he began to feel he needed to move on, when his new club reportedly had another bid for him rejected. [LNB]That fuelled speculation the Spaniard had not been fully committed this season but he said: 'I never lost my ambition.[LNB] 'Too many people are talking about that, but it's just their opinions. [LNB]'I was playing out of form for months. I was not just playing there for six months, but for three-and-a-half years, and I always tried to help the club move forward.' [LNB]Torres also spoke on Tuesday about the Blues being on a different level to Liverpool, London offering a better lifestyle than Merseyside and his desire to score against his former club on Sunday, comments which irked some already-angry Anfield supporters. '[LNB]A few had been filmed burning replica Torres shirts when his departure began to look inevitable and he attempted to placate the disenchanted today when he said: 'I only have good things to say about the Liverpool people and the supporters especially. [LNB]'I had a great three-and-a-half years there. They made me feel really good there. [LNB]'I will never say anything bad about that club, that city. [LNB]'I understand they will be angry and won't understand my decision. "I'm sure in a few days, weeks, I will explain all the reasons.'[LNB] Shirty protest: Reds legend Fowler slams Torres for ditching AnfieldTorres targets debut goal against Liverpool but Chelsea's ?50m man won't celebrateAll the latest Liverpool FC news, features and opinionAll the latestChelsea FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Fernando Torres Places: Liverpool, London

Source: Daily_Mail