Feature: What has happened to Fernando Torres

I am starting a new feature on Zachary's Sports News: A regular post where I put my thoughts on a pressing matter in sport. This time, the post is on the downfall of 'El Niño'.

Fernando Torres. A name that, a few years ago, would have striked fear into any defender's heart. The prolific Liverpool striker, signed from Athletico Madrid, was one of the hottest prospects in football. He was scoring almost every game, and Steven Gerrard was starting up a great partnership with the Spaniard.

Then he hit a bad patch. A few injuries, and he was nowhere near the amazing goalscorer he was in 2008/09. Liverpool fans got more and more annoyed with his poor performances, and he was no longer a full-time starter, like Gerrard or Pepe Reina.

He was becoming a liability, and the almost only reason he was still in the squad was because the Reds did not have another good replacement. However, when the 2011 January transfer window opened, he was up for grabs with quite a few big teams following his progress.

Many thought he would only reach a price tag of £15 million, but, in the final hours of the window, Chelsea swooped in for the World Cup winner. They paid a British record of £50 million.

It was risky. He wasn't the regular finisher that he was before, and the Blues' already had Didier Drogba amongst others.

Carlo Ancelotti showed his interest in his new signing by starting Torres in most of the games following his transfer, but after hundreds of minutes played, Torres hadn't scored.

Maybe it was the way he and Drogba played together. They never linked up well, and it never worked.

Chelsea fans gave Torres enough chances, but soon they had realised what the Liverpool fans had felt like just before 'El Nino' had left.

He was still played by Chelsea's ever changing managers, but never got off.

Almost all strikers go through bad patches, but this was getting worse. Torres wasn't scoring regularly, and it seemed as if he had passed his best.

In late 2011, Nicholas Anelka left for Shanghai Shenhua, and the Frenchman was followed by Didier Drogba in 2012 for the Chinese club.

Everybody thought that this would be Torres' big break. With the only other main striker for Chelsea Daniel Sturridge, he could really shine. Also, playmakers like Eden Hazard and Juan Mata were coming in to help set him up alongside Frank Lampard. He didn't make a huge improvement.

Now we go to the present. Although scoring a little more regularly, Torres has not found his old form. Look at the stats:

Torres at Athletico Madrid:
Apps: 214
Goals: 82

Torres at Liverpool:
Apps: 102
Goals: 65

Torres at Chelsea:
Apps: 62
Goals: 13
League only and as of 8 December

I think that Torres is past his best. He may find some form again, that is almost certain, but I don't think he'll ever be the exciting young prospect he was at Madrid, or the amazing striker he was at Liverpool.

What are your views on Fernando? Are you a Chelsea, Liverpool or even Madrid fan? Or just a football fan? What do you think? We would love to see some comments. When you read this, comment!

More features coming soon, so keep checking ZSN!