Source: Daily_Mail
Fernando Torres 'joined Chelsea instead of Manchester United and City out of respect'
Fernando Torres has attempted to build bridges with the Liverpool fans he left behind by claiming his decision to shun the two Manchester clubs in favour of Chelsea proves his loyalty to the Anfield club. [LNB]The Spaniard made a British record ?50million transfer deadline day switch from Merseyside in January, and made his Blues debut the following weekend against his old club. [LNB]The Liverpool faithful reacted angrily to the switch, with some burning the shirt of the former terrace idol outside the club's training complex in Melwood. [LNB] Can't look: Fernando Torres left Liverpool under a cloud of controversy[LNB] Anger: The Anfield faithful did not take kindly to be left in the lurch[LNB]However Torres believes he was justified in jumping ship and actually did his best to make it as smooth a transition as possible by not joining one of Liverpool's great rivals. [LNB]'I did not want to go to Manchester City or Manchester United. I could never do that, out of loyalty to Liverpool,' said Torres, who was targeted by both City and United during last summer. [LNB]The striker has made several attempts to explain the motives behind his move away from Liverpool after just three-and-a-half years with the club. Central to his complaints was the failure of the club to push on and win any silverware, a nagging issue for the 26-year-old who is yet to get his hands on a major trophy at club level. [LNB]He continued: 'But the Liverpool I left was not the same club as the one I joined. I did not understand the path the club was following.[LNB] Tricky start: Torres has struggled at Chelsea in the early stages and is yet to score[LNB]'It's not as if I was the first to leave the club in the last few years. Look at [Xabi] Alonso, [Javier] Mascherano, [Alvaro] Arbeloa, [Albert] Riera, [and manager Rafael] Benitez. Some 20 or 30 left, all to improve themselves.[LNB]'I did not imagine leaving Liverpool but then the Chelsea train passed by and I had to catch it because of the dream I have of winning. I want to win the Premier League and I felt I had to go.'[LNB]The irony, of course, came in Torres' debut when he subdued performance was bought to an end early as Liverpool nicked a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. [LNB]Rarity: The Spaniard has only achieved real honours at international level[LNB]The nature of his performance that day has been mirrored throughout a tricky first six weeks in London, yet the World Cup winner is confident he can find his form and ultimately fire Chelsea back on the trophy hunt. [LNB]'The first few weeks were not easy for me,' he admitted. 'I do not know London, have spent time looking for somewhere to live and it's all been a bit of a mess.[LNB]'It's a much bigger city then Liverpool and that takes getting used to, not knowing if it will take 40 minutes to get to training or a lot longer if the traffic is bad.[LNB]'But I know my best years in the Premier League are still to come. I'm sure of that. What I want to do now is settle down, be quiet, stop thinking about other things and enjoy my life.[LNB]'We have the chance to win the title and the Champions League. Four weeks ago I didn't have that and now I feel close to what I want.[LNB]'All my life I have sought to win - win titles. I was lucky enough to win the World Cup but as a footballer you want to win with your club, with the players you train alongside every day.[LNB]'I am away from home but Chelsea gives me the chance to achieve those goals year after year. Over the next 50 years they will be fighting United and Arsenal for trophies.' [LNB] I'm much more happy at Chelsea after the chaos of Liverpool, says TorresTorres still firing blanks but Ancelotti certain ?50m striker WILL come goodAnfield hails new king Luis as ?35m striker Carroll makes low-key debutAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinionAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Fernando Torres Places: Liverpool, Manchester, London, Anfield Club
