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29 March 2024

Torres tantrum threatens to derail Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers' Ryan Nelsen, right, competes with Chelsea's Fernando Torres during their English Premier League soccer match at Loftus Road stadium in London, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP)

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By Staff

It might been seen as a normal issue any top-flight club manager has to deal with.

And given precedents in the English Premier League (EPL) – Carlos Tevez and Roberto Mancini – player’s having a hissy fit is no big deal.

Except if you are a player at Chelsea.

Simply because the powers players wield at Chelsea seems almost unparalleled in comparison with other clubs.

Ask Ander Villas-Boas. Ask Carlo Ancelotti. Even ask Jose Mourinho.

Which is why Roberto di Matteo needs to be very careful in his handling of Fernando Torres.

Torres had a fit after being substituted in the nil-nil draw against QPR at Loftus Road.

The £50million striker stormed straight down the tunnel after Di Matteo replaced him on 81 minutes.

Torres has looked a different player since winning the Champions League and European Championship… ahem, not many players have that on their CV.

Di Matteo defended him, saying: “No player is happy when they come off, it’s not a problem. I just wanted to make a change.”

Torres had scored in his previous two Premier League games before yesterday’s clash and has looked back to his dangerous best.

Which is why Di Matteo should be careful.

Chelsea sit top of the group, but player problems and that could all unravel, especially with some tough games coming up.