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Fernando Torres
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This article is about the Spanish footballer. For other uses, see Fernando Torres (disambiguation).
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Torres and the second or maternal family name is Sanz.
Fernando Torres TorresFinale12 cropped.jpg
Torres playing for Chelsea in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final
Personal information
Full name Fernando José Torres Sanz[1]
Date of birth 20 March 1984 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth Fuenlabrada, Spain
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Chelsea
Number 9
Youth career
1995–2001 Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2007 Atlético Madrid 214 (82)
2007–2011 Liverpool 102 (65)
2011– Chelsea 53 (11)
National team‡
2000 Spain U15 1 (0)
2001 Spain U16 9 (11)
2001 Spain U17 4 (1)
2002 Spain U18 1 (1)
2002 Spain U19 5 (6)
2002–2003 Spain U21 10 (3)
2003– Spain 101 (31)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 October 2012.

† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 October 2012

Fernando José Torres Sanz (Spanish pronunciation: [ferˈnando ˈtores]; born 20 March 1984), nicknamed El Niño (The Kid in Spanish),[4] is a Spanish footballer who plays as a striker for Chelsea and the Spain national team. Torres started his career with Atlético Madrid, progressing through their youth system to the first team squad. He made his first team debut in 2001 and finished his time at the club having scored 75 goals in 174 La Liga appearances. Prior to his La Liga debut, Torres played two seasons in the Segunda División for Atlético Madrid, making 40 appearances and scoring seven goals.

He joined Premier League club Liverpool in 2007, after signing for a club record transfer fee. He marked his first season at Anfield by being Liverpool's first player since Robbie Fowler in the 1995–96 season to score more than 20 league goals in a season. Torres became the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 50 league goals. He left the club in January 2011 to join Chelsea for a record British transfer fee of £50 million, which made him the most expensive Spanish player in history. In his first full season at Chelsea, he helped the club win the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Torres is a Spanish international and made his debut against Portugal in 2003. He has since participated in five major tournaments; UEFA Euro 2004, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. Torres did not score at Euro 2004, but netted three at the 2006 World Cup. He scored twice at UEFA Euro 2008, including the winning goal for Spain in their 1–0 win over Germany in the Final. He went on to win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain, scoring no goals in the former, and scoring three goals in the latter to win the Golden Boot, as part of the historic Spain side which won three consecutive major tournaments.
Contents

1 Early career
2 Club career
2.1 Atlético Madrid
2.2 Liverpool
2.2.1 2007–08 season
2.2.2 2008–09 season
2.2.3 2009–10 season
2.2.4 2010–11 season
2.3 Chelsea
2.3.1 2011–12 season
2.3.2 2012–13 season
3 International career
4 Personal life
5 Style of play
6 Career statistics
6.1 Club
6.2 International appearances
6.3 International goals
7 Honours
7.1 Club
7.2 Country
7.3 Individual
8 References
9 External links

Early career

Born in Fuenlabrada, Community of Madrid,[5] Torres became interested in football as a child and joined his first team, Parque 84, at the age of five.[2] His father José Torres worked during Torres' childhood, and his mother Flori Sanz traveled daily with him to training sessions.[6] His grandfather was not a passionate football fan, but took pride in being an Atlético Madrid supporter, and Torres inherited his love for the club.[2]

Torres started playing football as a goalkeeper, the position his brother played in.[7] When he was seven years old, however, he started playing regularly as a striker in an indoor league for the neighborhood club, Mario's Holland,[2] using the characters from the anime Captain Tsubasa as inspiration.[8] Three years later, aged 10, he progressed to an 11-side team, Rayo 13.[9] He scored 55 goals in a season and was one of three Rayo 13 players to earn a trial with Atlético.[9] He impressed the scouts and joined the club's youth system at the age of 11 in 1995.[9]
Club career
Atlético Madrid
Torres arguing with referee Ralf Frubel during a match with Atlético Madrid in July 2006[10]

After progressing through the ranks, Torres won his first important youth title in 1998.[9] Atlético sent an under-15 team to compete in the Nike Cup, in Spain and Europe, to play against youth teams from other clubs; Atlético won the tournament.[9][11] He was later voted the best player in Europe for the age group.[11] In 1999, at the age of 15, Torres signed his first professional contract with Atlético.[9] He spent his first year playing in the youth team and moved onto the participating in the Honor Division when he was 16.[12] The 2000–01 season had started badly, as Torres suffered from a cracked shinbone which kept him out until December.[12] Torres trained with the first team to get prepared for pre-season, but eventually made his debut for the team on 27 May 2001, at Vicente Calderón, against CD Leganés.[12] A week later, he scored his first goal for the club against Albacete Balompié and the season finished with Atlético narrowly missing out on promotion to La Liga.[12]

Atlético were promoted to La Liga at the end of the 2001–02 season, although Torres did not perform well in the season, as he netted only six times in 36 appearances in the Segunda División.[13] Torres' first season in La Liga, 2002–03, was better, however, as he scored 13 goals in 29 appearances, with Atlético finishing in 11th place.[12][13] In the 2003–04 season, his second in La Liga, Torres made further strides, scoring 19 league goals in 35 appearances,[13] meaning he finished as joint third highest scorer in the league.[14] At the age of 19, Torres was named Atlético's captain.[11] Atlético narrowly missed out on qualification for the UEFA Cup, but by finishing in seventh place in the 2003–04 season, they qualified for the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup, giving Torres a first taste of a competition at the European level.[15] He scored two goals in the two fourth round matches against OFK Beograd, with one coming in each leg.[15] Atlético reached the Final, but lost 3–1 on a penalty shoot-out to Villarreal CF following a 2–2 draw on aggregate.[15] FA Premier League champions Chelsea were believed to be interested in signing Torres during the summer of 2005, but Atlético president Enrique Cerezo said that they had "no chance" of signing him.[16] Cerezo later said in January 2006 that the club was willing to listen to offers for Torres, and Torres claimed Newcastle United of the FA Premier League had made a bid to sign him in March.[17][18]

He stated after the 2006 FIFA World Cup that he had turned down an offer to join Chelsea at the end of the 2005–06 season.[19] Torres scored 14 league goals in the 2006–07 season.[13] The English media reported that he was the main transfer target of Premier League Liverpool,[20] but Cerezo stated "We've received no offer from Liverpool or any other club or player".[21] However, a few days later, new reports suggested Atlético had agreed a deal with Liverpool for Torres; the fee was rumored to be £25 million with Luis García moving to Atlético in a separate transfer deal.[22] On 30 June, Atlético announced a deal to sign Diego Forlán from Villarreal, in what was seen as a move to replace Torres before his departure became official.[23] On 2 July, it was reported that Torres had cut short a vacation to fly back to Madrid to finalise the move to Liverpool.[24] The following day, Torres passed a medical at Liverpool's Melwood training ground.[25] He held a press conference in Madrid on 4 July to bid farewell to the Atlético fans, before completing his move to Liverpool on a six-year contract.[25] The transfer fee was the highest in Liverpool's history.[23] In March 2008, manager Rafael Benítez stated in an interview with The Times that Torres was acquired for around £20 million, although this figure takes into account García's move to Atlético.[26]
Liverpool
2007–08 season

Torres made his competitive debut for Liverpool against Aston Villa in a 2–1 win on 11 August 2007.[27] He made his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League four days past his first performance in a 1–0 victory over Toulouse, after coming on as a 79th minute substitute.[28] His first Premier League goal came on his Anfield debut on 19 August 2007, in the 16th minute in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea.[29] His first hat-trick came in a 4–2 victory over Reading in the League Cup on 25 September 2007, with all of his goals coming in the second half.[30] His first goals in the Champions League came on his third appearance in the competition as Liverpool beat Porto 4–1 on 28 November 2007, as he scored twice.[31]
Torres playing for Liverpool against Middlesbrough on 23 February 2008, against whom he scored a hat-trick

He was named the Premier League Player of the Month for February 2008,[32] during which he scored four goals in four appearances, including a hat-trick against Middlesbrough on 23 February 2008.[33] This hat-trick and another in a 4–0 victory over West Ham United on 5 March 2008 meant he became the first Liverpool player since Jack Balmer in November 1946 to score a hat-trick in successive home matches.[34] Later in March, after he scored a 47th minute header against Reading at Anfield, becoming the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler in the 1995–96 season campaign to score 20 league goals in a season.[35] In April, he scored another Champions League goal, this time against Arsenal in the quarter-final second leg, as Liverpool advanced to the semi-final.[36] This goal took him onto 29 goals for the 2007–08 season in all competitions,[33] eclipsing Michael Owen's personal record for goals in a season.[37] On 11 April 2008, it was announced Torres had made a six-man shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award,[38] which was eventually won by Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.[39] The Spanish international was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award, which was won by Cesc Fàbregas of Arsenal and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.[39] In May, he finished second to Ronaldo for the FWA Footballer of the Year award.[40]

On 4 May 2008, Torres scored a 57th minute winner against Manchester City, which equalled the consecutive Anfield league goal record of eight games set by Roger Hunt.[41] After scoring his 24th league goal in the final game of the season, a 2–0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, he set a new record for the most prolific foreign goal scorer in a debut season in England, eclipsing Ruud van Nistelrooy's 23 goals.[33][42] He ended the season in joint second place with Emmanuel Adebayor in the race for the Premier League golden boot.[43] Torres was subject to media speculation that Chelsea were willing to pay £50 million to sign him but Torres responded by saying it would be "many years" before he left Liverpool.[44][45] Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks also negated the idea of a transfer, saying he would not allow Torres to leave the club at any price.[46]
2008–09 season
Torres celebreates scoring against Vålerenga Fotball on 5 August 2008

Torres made a scoring start to the 2008–09 Premier League season with a 25 yard shot into the bottom right-hand corner away at Sunderland, which was the only goal in a 1–0 win on 16 August 2008.[47] He suffered a hamstring tear in a 0–0 draw against Aston Villa, which would keep him out for two to three weeks.[48] Torres made his return in a 2–1 victory against Marseille in the Champions League and went on to score two goals in the Merseyside derby against Everton on 27 September 2008 to give Liverpool a 2–0 win.[49][50] He followed this up with another two goals the following weekend against Manchester City in a 3–2 win away at the City of Manchester Stadium as Liverpool came back from a two goal deficit.[51] The first of these was the thousandth Liverpool goal to be scored in the Premier League.[52] Torres picked up a hamstring injury during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier, meaning he was likely to miss three games for Liverpool.[53] On 22 October 2008, Liverpool played Torres' former club Atlético in the Champions League at the Vicente Calderón, but his injury meant he missed out on the game.[54] The Atlético president, Enrique Cerezo, had given him a VIP invitation to watch the game, but he declined this to continue his rehabilitation from injury in Merseyside.[55] He was named in the FIFPro World XI team for the 2007–08 season on 27 October 2008.[56]
Torres during Liverpool's 3–2 victory against Manchester City on 5 October 2008, in which he scored two goals

Torres made his return for Liverpool on 8 November 2008 after coming on as a 72nd minute substitute in a 3–0 victory against West Bromwich Albion (West Brom).[57] He said he would be interested in returning to former club Atlético eventually, saying "I don't know if I will retire there, but I would like to go back and finish some things that are left to do."[58] He was ruled out of action for two to three weeks following Liverpool's 1–0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League in November, where he picked up a hamstring strain,[59] which was later extended to at least four weeks by specialists.[60] He was named on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in December,[61] and eventually came in third place behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.[62] Torres returned to action on 3 January 2009 as a substitute with a goal in the 2–0 win over Preston North End; his first in the FA Cup.[63] He scored two late goals for Liverpool to secure a 2–0 victory over Chelsea on 1 February 2009.[64] Despite having spent a year and a half at the club, Torres was chosen as number 50 in The Times's list of "The 50 greatest Liverpool players", reinforcing the impact he had made at Liverpool in such a short period of time.[65]

Torres faced his old rivals Real Madrid on 10 March 2009 in the Champions League last 16 and due to an ankle injury, he had a painkilling injection before the game to enable him to play.[66] He scored the first goal of the game, which ended as a 4–0 victory, meaning Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals 5–0 on aggregate.[67] Four days later he lined up against Manchester United at Old Trafford and he scored the equaliser in a game that finished as a 4–1 victory.[68] He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the second season running in April 2009.[69] Torres scored his 50th goal for Liverpool on 24 May 2009 against Tottenham on the final day of the 2008–09 season, which was his 84th appearance.[70]
2009–10 season
Torres lines up before Liverpool's game against Wigan Athletic on 9 March 2010

Following the end of the season, he agreed a new contract with Liverpool,[71] which he signed on 14 August.[72] By signing this contract, Torres had the option of a one-year extension after the contract's expiration in 2013.[73] Torres scored two goals in a 3–2 win over West Ham United on 19 September 2009, a result that took Liverpool to third in the Premier League.[74] A week later he scored his first hat-trick of the 2009–10 Premier League season in a 6–1 victory over Hull City at Anfield.[75] He was named Premier League Player of the Month for September, after scoring five goals during the month and becoming the Premier League's top goalscorer.[76] On 25 October 2009, he scored the first goal in a 2–0 victory for Liverpool over Manchester United,[77] after which Benítez praised Torres' performance, saying "We were waiting for that final pass. When it came we knew he would score."[78] Torres was named in the FIFPro World XI for the second successive season in December 2009.[79] His stoppage-time winning goal against Aston Villa on 29 December 2009 made him the fastest Liverpool player ever to score 50 league goals.[80] He was substituted on 65 minutes in a 1–1 draw with Birmingham City on 4 April 2010, which Benítez justified by saying Torres was "exhausted".[81] Torres made his last appearance of the season scoring twice in a 4–1 victory over S.L. Benfica in the Europa League on 8 April,[82] and it was announced on 18 April 2010 that he would miss the rest of the season to undergo knee surgery.[83] This meant that Torres finished the season with 22 goals in 32 games in all competitions, finishing as Liverpool's top scorer for the second time.[82]
2010–11 season

Following Roy Hodgson's appointment as Liverpool manager he stated that Torres would not be sold by the club, saying "He is not for sale and we don't welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him."[84] Hodgson dismissed reports Torres was set to leave Liverpool by saying "He has told us that he is looking forward to Monday, to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season. That is what I know so other reports, I would suggest, are erroneous."[85] Torres stated his commitment to Liverpool on 3 August, saying "My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed."[86]
Torres in Liverpool away colours in a UEFA Europa League match against FC Utrecht on 30 September 2010

He made his first appearance of the 2010–11 season in the opening game, a 1–1 draw with Arsenal on 14 August 2010, entering the game as a substitute in the 74th minute.[87] He scored his first goal of the season with the winner in a 1–0 victory over West Brom on 29 August 2010,[88] which was his 50th goal at Anfield in all competitions.[89] Torres scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at home to Blackburn Rovers on 24 October 2010, which was his first goal since August.[90] He scored his final goals for Liverpool in a 3–0 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 22 January 2011.[91]
Chelsea

On 27 January 2011, Torres was the subject of a £40 million bid from Chelsea, which was rejected by Liverpool.[92] He subsequently handed in an official transfer request to Liverpool the next day, which was rejected.[93] Torres completed his move to Chelsea on a five-and-a-half-year contract on 31 January 2011 for an undisclosed fee reported to be £50 million, which set a new record for a British transfer and made him the sixth most expensive footballer in history.[94] He made his Chelsea debut on 6 February 2011 in a 1–0 home defeat to former club Liverpool.[95] On 23 April 2011, Torres scored his first goal for Chelsea against West Ham United in a 3–0 victory, which ended a run of 903 minutes of football without a goal.[96]
2011–12 season
Torres playing for Chelsea against Arsenal on 21 April 2012

Torres got the 2011–12 season underway in Chelsea's 0–0 draw away against Stoke City on 14 August 2011, in which his "link-up play was sharp, plus he was willing to make intelligent runs into space to receive the ball".[97] He scored his second goal at Chelsea, and his first of the season, on 18 September 2011, during an away game against Manchester United, which was the side's only goal in a 3–1 defeat.[98] He scored his second goal of the season at home to Swansea City in a 4–1 victory.[99] However, 10 minutes after his goal, a two-footed challenge on Mark Gower resulted in his first red card in English football and a three-match domestic suspension.[100][101] On 19 October 2011, Torres scored two goals in a 5–0 victory against Genk in the Champions League, his first in Europe since the quarter-final of the 2008–09 Champions League with his old club Liverpool, against Chelsea.[102] His next Chelsea goals came after scoring twice and also assisting two others against Championship side Leicester City in an FA Cup quarter-final on 18 March 2012, ending a goal drought that stretched 24 games.[103] On 31 March 2012, Torres scored his first Premier League goal since 24 September 2011 against Aston Villa in a 4–2 away win.[104]

Torres came on as a substitute for Didier Drogba on 24 April 2012 to score a last-minute goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final, which gave Chelsea a 2–2 draw, and also eliminated Barcelona from the tournament, as Chelsea won 3–2 on aggregate.[105] He scored the first hat-trick of his Chelsea career in a 6–1 win against Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge on 29 April 2012.[106] Torres came on in the second half of the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final on 19 May 2012, directly after Bayern Munich's opening goal, and following a 1–1 draw after extra time Chelsea won the penalty shoot-out 4–3.[107]
2012–13 season

Torres started the 2012–13 season in the 2012 FA Community Shield against Manchester City at Villa Park, where he scored the opening goal, as Chelsea lost 3–2.[108] On 19 August 2012, he appeared in Chelsea's first league match in a 2–0 away win against Wigan Athletic.[109] Torres scored his first goal of the season in Chelsea's next match on 22 August 2012, a 4–2 home win against Reading, scoring the third goal to give his side the lead.[110]
International career

In February 2001, Torres won the Algarve Tournament with the Spain national under-16 team.[111] The under-16s took part in the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship in May, which they also won, with Torres scoring the only goal in the Final, as well as finishing as the tournament's leading scorer, and was also named the player of the tournament.[11][13] In September 2001, Torres represented the under-17 team at the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, but the team failed to progress through the group stage.[13] In July 2002, he won the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship with the under-19 team and was again the only goalscorer in the Final.[11] Also, he finished as top scorer and was named player of the tournament.[13]
“ We complement each other very well. We get on well on the pitch and very well off it too. We're a good partnership. We both chase down defenders, put pressure on and fight to create chances for each other. ”

—David Villa, speaking about Torres[112]

Torres made his debut for the senior team on 6 September 2003 in a friendly against Portugal.[13] His first goal for Spain came against Italy on 28 April 2004.[13] He was selected for the Spanish squad for UEFA Euro 2004.[13] After appearing as a late substitute in Spain's first two group games, he started for the deciding game against Portugal.[13] Spain were losing 1–0 and, towards the end of the game, he hit the post.[13]
Torres celebrating victory with Spain at UEFA Euro 2008

He scored seven goals in 11 appearances in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup,[113] making him Spain's top scorer for qualification, including a vital two goals against Belgium and his first international hat-trick against San Marino.[13] At his first ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup finals at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Torres scored the final goal in a 4–0 victory over Ukraine with a volley.[114] In the second group match, Torres scored twice against Tunisia, first in the 76th minute to take Spain 2–1 into the lead, and then again from a penalty kick in the 90th.[115] With three goals, he finished the tournament as Spain's top scorer along with fellow striker David Villa.[116]
Torres scoring his goal against Sweden at UEFA Euro 2008

He was called up for Spain's UEFA Euro 2008 squad,[117] where he set up Villa to score Spain's first goal of the tournament in the first game in the group stage against Russia.[118] Torres came under criticism for apparently refusing to shake the hand of Spanish manager, Luis Aragonés, after being substituted.[119] He subsequently denied being angry with the coaching, saying that he was actually "irritated with himself".[119] He scored his first goal of the tournament in Spain's next game, a 2–1 win over Sweden.[120] Torres scored the winner and was named the man of the match in the Final against Germany in a 1–0 victory.[121][122] He said "It's just a dream come true. This is my first title and I hope it's the first of many. Victory in a Euro, it is almost as big as a World Cup. We are used to watching finals on television, but today we were here and we won. My job is to score goals. I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe and the world."[123] He was later named as a striker along with his striking partner Villa in the Team of the Tournament.[124]

Torres made his 60th appearance for Spain in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification victory over Turkey on 28 March 2009, becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone.[125] He was named in Spain's team for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June.[126] He scored his second hat-trick for Spain after 17 minutes into a Confederations Cup game against New Zealand on 14 June,[127] thus recording the fastest hat-trick by a player for Spain.[128] He played for Spain as they were defeated 2–0 by the United States in the semi-final,[129] as well as the third-place play-off, which Spain won 3–2 against South Africa after extra time.[130]
Torres celebrates with Spain after winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Plaza de España on 12 July 2010

Having undergone knee surgery on 18 April 2010, and missed the end of the Premier League season, Torres' rehabilitation and fitness was closely monitored by Spain manager Vicente del Bosque.[83] Although still out injured, Torres was selected for Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad in May.[131] On 8 June, Torres made his first appearance on the field in exactly two months, coming on as a substitute on 66 minutes against Poland in a pre-World Cup friendly.[131] He came on as a substitute on 61 minutes in Spain's opening World Cup game on 16 June, a 1–0 defeat to Switzerland.[132] He started the next two games against Honduras and Chile and although his performances in the group stage were described as below-par, he received backing from manager Vicente del Bosque.[133] Torres came on as a substitute on 105 minutes in the Final as Spain won the FIFA World Cup for the first time following a 1–0 victory over the Netherlands on 11 July 2010.[134]
Torres celebrating with Spanish team-mates Juan Mata and Sergio Ramos after winning UEFA Euro 2012

Torres was selected in Del Bosque's UEFA Euro 2012 squad. In his first start of the tournament he netted two goals as Spain defeated the Republic of Ireland 4–0 to knock them out of the tournament.[135] In the Final of Euro 2012, Torres came on as a substitute against Italy, scoring one goal and assisting another, as Spain won a second consecutive Euopean Champiosnship with a 4–0 victory.[136] This secured him the Golden Boot for the tournament with three goals and one assist, having played fewer minutes than Mario Gómez, who also had three goals and one assist.[137]

Torres won his 100th cap against Saudi Arabia, making him the sixth highest capped player for Spain, and started the game as captain.
Personal life

Torres' parents are José and Flori, and he has two older siblings, Israel (born 1977) and Maria Paz (born 1976).[138] He married Olalla Domínguez Liste, with whom he had been in a relationship since 2001, on 27 May 2009 in a private ceremony with just two guests at the local town hall in El Escorial, Madrid.[139][140] They had been an item for eight years and are thought to have met in the Galician seaside town of Estorde, where Torres would go on family holidays each year to escape the Spanish capital.[141] The couple have two children, a daughter, Nora, born on 8 July 2009 at the Hospital La Rosaleda, in Santiago de Compostela,[142] and a son, Leo, born on 6 December 2010 at Liverpool Women's Hospital, with Torres missing the fixture against Aston Villa at Anfield.[143]

In 2009, it was reported that Torres has a personal fortune of £14 million.[144] He features in the video for "Ya Nada Volverá A Ser Como Antes" by Spanish pop rock group El Canto del Loco,[145] whose singer, Dani Martín, shares a strong friendship with the footballer.[146] He makes a cameo appearance in the 2005 comedy film Torrente 3: El protector.[147] In 2009, he released an autobiography entitled Torres: El Niño: My Story.[148]
Style of play

He has been described as a world-class striker and is "quick, strong, impressive in the air, blessed with expert technique and is cool and collected in front of goal".[149]
Career statistics
Club

As of match played 6 October 2012.

Club Season Division League Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Atlético Madrid 2000–01[150][151] Segunda División 4 1 2 0 — — — 6 1
2001–02[152][153] 36 6 1 1 — — — 37 7
2002–03[154][155] La Liga 29 13 2 1 — — — 31 14
2003–04[156][157] 35 19 5 2 — — — 40 21
2004–05[158][159][160] 38 16 6 2 — 5[a] 2 — 49 20
2005–06[161][162] 36 13 4 0 — — — 40 13
2006–07[163][164] 36 14 4 1 — — — 40 15
Total 214 82 24 7 — 5 2 — 243 91
Liverpool 2007–08[33] Premier League 33 24 1 0 1 3 11[b] 6 — 46 33
2008–09[165] 24 14 3 1 2 0 9[b] 2 — 38 17
2009–10[82] 22 18 2 0 0 0 8[c] 4 — 32 22
2010–11[166] 23 9 1 0 0 0 2[d] 0 — 26 9
Total 102 65 7 1 3 3 30 12 — 142 81
Chelsea 2010–11[166] Premier League 14 1 0 0 0 0 4[b] 0 0 0 18 1
2011–12[167] 32 6 6 2 1 0 10[b] 3 — 49 11
2012–13[168] 7 4 0 0 1 1 3[e] 0 1[f] 1 12 6
Total 53 11 6 2 2 1 17 3 1 1 79 18
Career total 369 158 37 10 5 4 52 17 1 1 464 190

^ Appearances in UEFA Intertoto Cup
^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Champions League
^ 4 appearances in UEFA Champions League, 4 in UEFA Europa League
^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
^ 1 appearance in UEFA Super Cup, 2 in UEFA Champions League
^ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International appearances

As of match played 7 September 2012.[169][170][171][172][173][174]

National team Year Friendly Competitive Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Spain 2003 1 0 2 0 3 0
2004 6 1 5 0 11 1
2005 3 1 9 7 12 8
2006 6 1 7 4 13 5
2007 2 0 4 1 6 1
2008 6 1 7 2 13 3
2009 3 2 10 3 13 5
2010 3 1 8 2 11 3
2011 7 1 2 0 9 1
2012 4 1 6 3 10 4
Career total 41 9 60 22 101 31
International goals

As of match played 1 July 2012.[169][170][171][172][173][175][176][176][177][177][178][179][180][181][182][183]

[show]U16 international goals
[show]U17 international goal
[show]U18 international goal
[show]U19 international goals
[show]U21 international goals
[show]Senior team international goals
Honours
Club

Atlético Madrid

Segunda División: 2001–02[184]

Chelsea

FA Cup: 2011–12
UEFA Champions League: 2011–12

Country

Spain U-16

UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship: 2001[184]

Spain U-19

UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship: 2002[184]

Spain

UEFA European Football Championship (2): 2008, 2012[184]
FIFA World Cup: 2010[184]

Individual

Nike Cup top scorer: 1999
Algarve Tournament Player of the Tournament: 2001
Algarve Tournament top scorer: 2001
UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship Player of the Tournament: 2001
UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship top scorer: 2001
UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship Player of the Tournament: 2002
UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship top scorer: 2002
PFA Team of the Year (2): 2007–08, 2008–09
Premier League Player of the Month (2): February 2008, September 2009
Premier League Goal of the month (2): April 2009, March 2010
UEFA European Football Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008
UEFA Team of the Year: 2008
UEFA Euro 2008 Final Man of the Match[185]
FIFPro World XI (2): 2008, 2009
ESM Team of the Year: 2008
Ballon d'Or Third place: 2008
FIFA World Player of the Year Third place: 2008
FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Boot: 2009
FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament: 2009[186]
UEFA Euro 2012 Spain vs Ireland Man of the Match [187]
UEFA Euro Golden Boot: 2012

Achievements

Atletico Madrid top scorer (5): 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07
Liverpool FC top scorer (2): 2007-08, 2009-10
Spain all-time 3rd top scorer with 31 goals
Spain all-time top scorer in UEFA Euro matches (5 goals)

References

General

(in Spanish) HISTORIA DEL FÚTBOL ESPAÑOL, SELECCIONES ESPAÑOLAS. ISBN 978-84-8229-123-9.

Specific

^ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
^ a b c d "Infancia" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ "Fernando Torres". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
^ White, Jim (23 November 2009). "Fernando Torres: exclusive interview with Liverpool and Spain's 'El Nino'". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ "Fernando Torres condecorado con la Medalla "Ciudad de Fuenlabrada"" (in Spanish). SER Madrid Sur. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
^ Samuel, Martin (19 January 2009). "Fernando Torres talks to Martin Samuel: Liverpool's Spain superstar on Kaka, feeling at home and the battle to stop Manchester United's title chase". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 8 February 2009.
^ "Torres asegura que habría sido "un gran portero"" (in Spanish). Marca (Madrid). 17 April 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Japanese comic superhero drawn to Tokyo Olympic bid". The Free Library (taken from Agence France-Presse). 11 August 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ a b c d e f "Atlético de Madrid" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Atletico Madrid in goalless draw with Dinamo Dresden". Atlético Madrid. 31 July 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
^ a b c d e Lowe, Sid (4 July 2007). "Will Torres be Kop's new God or just another Fernando?". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ a b c d e "Primer equipo" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Torres". FootballDatabase. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
^ "Spanish La Liga Stats: Top Goal Scorers – 2003–04". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ a b c "UEFA Intertoto Cup 2004". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
^ "Atletico warn Chelsea off Torres". BBC Sport. 28 June 2005. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Atletico prepared to sell Torres". BBC Sport. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Newcastle want me, claims Torres". BBC Sport. 16 March 2006. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ Adams, Tom (6 February 2007). "'Flattered' Villa to stay with Che". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
^ Prentice, David (20 June 2007). "Torres is Reds' number one target". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
^ "No Reds offer for Torres". The Daily Star (Dhaka). 27 June 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ Kay, Oliver (28 June 2007). "Garcia the key as Liverpool step up pursuit of Torres". The Times (London). Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ a b "Liverpool complete Torres signing". BBC Sport. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Carrick, Charles (30 June 2007). "Torres' £27m Liverpool deal". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ a b "Liverpool wrap up record Torres transfer". The Guardian (London). 4 July 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
^ Balague, Guillem (31 March 2008). "Rafael Benitez opens up on transfers, treachery, Torres, titles – and, of course, tinkering". The Times (London). Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ Sinnott, John (11 August 2007). "Aston Villa 1–2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Sanghera, Mandeep (15 August 2007). "Toulouse 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Chowdhury, Saj (19 August 2007). "Liverpool 1–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ McKenzie, Andrew (25 September 2007). "Reading 2–4 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Sinnott, John (28 November 2011). "Liverpool 4–1 FC Porto". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Moyes & Torres win monthly awards". BBC Sport. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ a b c d "Games played by Fernando Torres in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ Barrett, Tony (6 March 2008). "Fernando Torres: My pride at Anfield hat-trick record". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
^ May, John (15 March 2008). "Liverpool 2–1 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ McKenzie, Andrew (8 April 2008). "Liverpool 4–2 Arsenal (agg 5–3)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Goalscorers for the 2001–2002 season". LFChistory.net. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Ronaldo tops PFA nominations list". BBC Sport. 11 April 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ a b "Ronaldo named player of the year". BBC Sport. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Ronaldo wins writers' award again". BBC Sport. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Liverpool 1–0 Man City". ESPN Soccernet. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
^ Caroe, Charlie (6 May 2008). "Jose Reina: Fernando Torres will improve". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Barclays Premier League Stats: Top Goal Scorers – 2007–08". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Caroe, Charlie (26 May 2008). "Chelsea target Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres with £50 million bid". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Torres pledges long-term future to Reds". ESPN Soccernet. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
^ "Hicks laughs off Torres sale talk". BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
^ Stevenson, Jonathan (16 August 2008). "Sunderland 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Eaton, Paul (1 September 2008). "Reds confirm Torres injury". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ Sanghera, Mandeep (16 September 2008). "Marseille 1–2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ McNulty, Phil (27 September 2008). "Everton 0–2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Sanghera, Mandeep (5 October 2008). "Man City 2–3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Custis, Neil (5 October 2008). "Man City 2 Liverpool 3". The Sun (London). Retrieved 20 June 2012.
^ "Torres ruled out for '10–15 days'". BBC Sport. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ McNulty, Phil (22 October 2008). "Atletico Madrid 1–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Ogden, Mark (21 October 2008). "Fernando Torres puts Chelsea-Liverpool clash ahead of Atletico Madrid return". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ "Ronaldo voted FIFPro World Player of the Year". UEFA. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Hughes, Ian (8 November 2008). "Liverpool 3–0 West Brom". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Torres open to Atletico return". Sky Sports. 9 November 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
^ "Striker Torres faces new lay-off". BBC Sport. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Liverpool hit by Torres setback". BBC Sport. 4 December 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Ronaldo, Torres up for Fifa award". BBC Sport. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Ronaldo collects Fifa world title". BBC Sport. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
^ Ashenden, Mark (3 January 2009). "Preston 0–2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ McNulty, Phil (1 February 2009). "Liverpool 2–0 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
^ Evans, Tony (13 February 2009). "The 50 greatest Liverpool players". The Times (London). Retrieved 22 February 2009.
^ Brown, David (11 March 2009). "Fernando Torres used powers of persuasion to play against Real Madrid". The Times (London). Retrieved 13 April 2009.
^ McNulty, Phil (10 March 2009). "Liverpool 4–0 Real Madrid (agg 5–0)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ McNulty, Phil (14 March 2009). "Man Utd 1–4 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Giggs earns prestigious PFA award". BBC Sport. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Brett, Oliver (24 May 2009). "Liverpool 3–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ "Torres agrees new Liverpool deal". BBC Sport. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Torres signs new Liverpool deal". BBC Sport. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Torres signs contract extension with Liverpool". ESPN Soccernet. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
^ Ashenden, Mark (19 September 2009). "West Ham 2 – 3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Hunter, Andy (28 September 2009). "Priceless Fernando Torres slays Hull with a hat-trick show fit for a prince". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 28 September 2009.
^ "Torres and Ferguson scoop awards". BBC Sport. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ McNulty, Phil (25 October 2009). "Liverpool 2 – 0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Benitez hails quality of Torres". BBC Sport. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ Leach, Jimmy (22 December 2009). "FIFA/FIFPRO World XI announced". The Independent (London). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Ornstein, David (29 December 2009). "Aston Villa 0 – 1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Rafa Benitez defends his decision to take off Torres". BBC Sport. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ a b c "Games played by Fernando Torres in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ a b "Liverpool's Fernando Torres out for rest of season". BBC Sport. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Gerrard and Torres staying at Liverpool – Hodgson". BBC Sport. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Hodgson expects Fernando Torres to stay at Liverpool". BBC Sport. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Striker Fernando Torres committed to Liverpool". BBC Sport. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ Sanghera, Mandeep (15 August 2010). "Liverpool 1 – 1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Sanghera, Mandeep (29 August 2010). "Liverpool 1 – 0 West Brom". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Torres landmark nets WBA win". Liverpool F.C. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ Magowan, Alistair (24 October 2010). "Liverpool 2 – 1 Blackburn". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Sanghera, Mandeep (22 January 2011). "Wolverhampton 0 – 3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
^ Smith, Rory (27 January 2011). "Chelsea's £40 million bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is an act of desperation". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 6 February 2011.
^ Mondal, Subhankar (29 January 2011). "Quotes of the Week: 'Fernando Torres Tonight Submitted A Transfer Request', Wolfsburg Offer Volkswagens For Schulz And Adriano Galliani Is The New Moggi & More". Goal.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
^ "Torres makes record move from Liverpool to Chelsea". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
^ "Chelsea 0 – 1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Chelsea 3 – 0 West Ham". BBC Sport. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
^ Magowan, Alistair (14 August 2011). "Stoke 0–0 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
^ McNulty, Phil (18 September 2011). "Man Utd 3 – 1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
^ Williams, Aled (24 September 2011). "Chelsea 4 – 1 Swansea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
^ Lemesre, Pascal (24 September 2011). "Fernando Torres handed red card after scoring". Sportsmole. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
^ "Villas-Boas wants strikers to step up in Torres' absence". The Times of India (New Delhi). 25 September 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
^ Shemilt, Stephan (19 October 2011). "Chelsea 5–0 Genk". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
^ Chase, Graham (18 March 2012). "Chelsea 5–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
^ "Aston Villa 2–4 Chelsea". ESPN Soccernet. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
^ Dawkes, Phil (24 April 2012). "Barcelona 2–2 Chelsea (agg 2–3)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
^ Higginson, Marc (29 April 2012). "Chelsea 6–1 QPR". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
^ McNulty, Phil (19 May 2012). "Bayern Munich 1–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
^ Smith, Ben (12 August 2012). "Chelsea 2–3 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
^ Scrivener, Peter (19 August 2012). "Wigan 0–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
^ Sanghera, Mandeep (22 August 2012). "Chelsea 4–2 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
^ "9. Fernando Torres". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
^ Smith, Andrew (6 June 2010). "Andrew Smith: David Villa lacks the ego of his contemporaries". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). Retrieved 19 March 2012.
^ "Fernando Torres". FIFA. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Spain 4–0 Ukraine". BBC Sport. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Spain – Tunisia". FIFA. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Top goals". FIFA. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
^ "Raul left out of Spain Euro squad". BBC Sport. 17 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Ronay, Barney (10 June 2008). "Quicksilver Villa lights up the Alps". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ a b Taylor, Daniel (14 June 2008). "Torres plays up respect for Aragones". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 5 April 2010.
^ Bevan, Chris (14 June 2008). "Sweden 1–2 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ McNulty, Phil (29 June 2008). "Germany 0–1 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Rogers, Martin (29 June 2008). "Euro 2008: Man of the match, June 29". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Spain view". BBC Sport. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Team of the Tournament" (PDF). UEFA. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ "España vence a una digna Turquía en el partido 60 de Torres con la Selección absoluta (1–0)" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
^ "Spain unveils Confederations Cup roster". CBC. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
^ Scrivener, Peter (14 June 2009). "Spain 5–0 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Mollina, R.; Campos, T. (14 June 2009). "Torres logra el 'hat trick' más rápido de la historia de la selección" (in Spanish). Marca (Madrid). Retrieved 14 June 2009.
^ Chowdhury, Saj (25 June 2009). "Spain 0–2 United States". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Spain 3–2 South Africa (aet)". BBC Sport. 28 June 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ a b "Spain omit Marcos Senna from 2010 World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Spain 0–1 Switzerland". BBC Sport. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Del Bosque backs Torres". Sky Sports. 27 June 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
^ "Netherlands 0–1 Spain". BBC Sport. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ Chase, Graham (14 June 2012). "Spain 4–0 R. of Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
^ McNulty, Phil (1 July 2012). "Spain 4–0 Italy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
^ "Euro 2012: Spain striker Fernando Torres wins Golden Boot award". BBC Sport. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
^ "Fernando Torres Sanz". NNDB. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
^ "Football is a funny ol game". The Sun (London). 15 April 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
^ Galaz, Mábel (28 May 2009). "Se casa Fernando Torres" (in Spanish). El País (Madrid). Retrieved 19 March 2012.
^ "Fernando Torres welcomes baby 'Leo' after dodging Liverpool match at wife Olalla's bedside". Daily Mail (London). 7 December 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
^ "Liverpool star Fernando Torres becomes a dad". Daily Mirror (London). 10 July 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
^ "Liverpool 3–0 Aston Villa". Liverpool F.C. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ "Balls to the Crunch". FourFourTwo: 50. February 2009.
^ "Fernando Torres (V)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ "Dani Martín" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. 30 September 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ "Full cast and crew for Torrente 3: El protector". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
^ Wilson, Simon (2 October 2009). "El Nino: My Story". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
^ "Fernando Torres Bio". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
^ "Temporada 2000/01 – Liga 2ª División (primer equipo)" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2000/01 – Copa Del Rey" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2001/02 – Liga 2ªDivisión" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2001/02 – Copa del Rey" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2002/03 – Liga 1ª División" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2002/03 – Copa del Rey" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2003/04 – Liga 1ª División" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2003/04 – Copa del Rey" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2004/05 – Liga 1ª División" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2004/05 – Copa del Rey" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2004/05 – Intertoto" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2005/06 – Liga 1ª División" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2005/06 – Copa del Rey" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2006/07 – Liga 1ª División" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Temporada 2006/07 – Copa del Rey" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Games played by Fernando Torres in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ a b "Games played by Fernando Torres in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ "Games played by Fernando Torres in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^ "Games played by Fernando Torres in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
^ a b "Temporada 2002/04 – Selección Española" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ a b "Temporada 2004/06 – Selección Española" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ a b "Temporada 2006/08 – Selección Española" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ a b "Temporada 2008/10 – Selección española" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ a b "Temporada 2010/12 – Selección española" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
^ "Temporada 2012/14 – Selección española" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
^ "Spain 2 – Yugoslavia 1". Soccer Spain. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ a b "N. Ireland 1 – Spain 4". Soccer Spain. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ a b "Spain 4 – Macedonia 0". Soccer Spain. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ "Norway 0 – Spain 3". Soccer Spain. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ "Slovakia 1 – Spain 3". Soccer Spain. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ "Spain 1 – Germany 0". Soccer Spain. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ "Oman – Spain". FIFA. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
^ Martialay, Félix (2007). Todo Sobre Todas Las Selecciones. Lib Deportivas Esteban Sanz. pp. 266–267. ISBN 84-935390-2-3. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
^ "Remontada y clasificación" (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. 16 May 2001. Archived from the original on 8 January 2002. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
^ a b c d e "Palmarés" (in Spanish). Fernando Torres. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^ "Full-time report Germany-Spain" (PDF). Union of European Football Associations. 29 June 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/confederationscup/southafrica2009/news/newsid=1077991.html.
^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/matches/round=15172/match=2003332/index.html.

External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fernando Torres

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Fernando Torres – FIFA competition record
Fernando Torres – UEFA competition record
Fernando Torres profile at Premier League
Fernando Torres career stats at BDFutbol
Fernando Torres career stats at Soccerbase
Fernando Torres at National-Football-Teams.com

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Chelsea F.C.

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Chelsea

Full name	Chelsea Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Blues
Founded	10 March 1905; 107 years ago[1]
Ground	Stamford Bridge, Fulham, London (capacity: 41,837[2])
Owner	Roman Abramovich
Chairman	Bruce Buck
Manager	Roberto Di Matteo
League	Premier League
2011–12	Premier League, 6th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Chelsea Football Club ( /ˈtʃɛlsiː/) is an English football club based in Fulham, London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Their home is the 41,837-seat^[2] Stamford Bridge stadium, where they have played since their establishment.
Chelsea had their first major success in 1955, when they won the league championship, and won various cup competitions during the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s. Since 1996, Chelsea have enjoyed the most successful period in their history. Overall, Chelsea have won four league titles, seven FA Cups, four League Cups and four FA Community Shields. The club have also been successful in continental competitions, winning two UEFA Cup Winners' Cups, one UEFA Super Cup and one UEFA Champions League title. In 2009–10, the club won their first "Double"^[3] and in 2012 became the first London club to win the UEFA Champions League.^[4][5]
Chelsea's regular kit colours are royal blue shirts and shorts with white socks. The club's crest has been changed several times in attempts to re-brand the club and modernise its image. The current crest, featuring a ceremonial lion rampant regardant holding a staff, is a modification of the one introduced in the early 1950s.^[6] The club has sustained the fifth highest average all-time attendance in English football.^[7] Their average home gate for the 2011–12 season was 41,478, the sixth highest in the Premier League.^[8] In April 2012 it was ranked by Forbes Magazine as the seventh most valuable football club in the world, at £473 million ($761 million).^[9][10] Since 2003, Chelsea have been owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.^[11]

Contents 1 History 2 Stadium 3 Crest and colours 3.1 Crest 3.2 Colours 4 Supporters 5 Rivalries 6 Records 7 Finances and ownership 8 Popular culture 9 Chelsea Ladies 10 Players 10.1 First team squad 10.2 Out on Loan 10.3 Reserves and Academy 10.3.1 Reserves squad 10.3.1.1 Out on loan 10.4 Player of the Year[128] 11 Notable managers 12 Coaching staff 13 Management 14 Honours 14.1 Domestic 14.1.1 League 14.1.2 Cups 14.2 European 15 Notes 16 Footnotes 17 References 18 External links

History

Main article: History of Chelsea F.C.

The first Chelsea team in September 1905

In 1904 Gus Mears acquired the Stamford Bridge athletics stadium with the aim of turning it into a football ground. An offer to lease it to nearby Fulham was turned down, so Mears opted to found his own club to use the stadium. As there was already a team named Fulham in the borough, the name of the adjacent borough of Chelsea was chosen for the new club, having also considered names like Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC and London FC.^[12] Chelsea were founded on 10 March 1905 at The Rising Sun pub (now The Butcher's Hook),^[1] opposite the present-day main entrance to the ground on Fulham Road, and were elected to the Football League shortly afterwards.
The club won promotion to the First Division in their second season, and yo-yoed between the First and Second Divisions in their early years. They reached the 1915 FA Cup Final, where they lost to Sheffield United at Old Trafford, and finished 3rd in the First Division in 1920, the club's best league campaign to that point.^[13] Chelsea attracted large crowds^[14] and had a reputation for signing big-name players,^[15] but success continued to elude the club in the inter-war years. Former Arsenal and England centre-forward Ted Drake became manager in 1952 and proceeded to modernise the club. He removed the club's Chelsea pensioner crest, improved the youth set-up and training regime, rebuilt the side with shrewd signings from the lower divisions and amateur leagues, and led Chelsea to their first major trophy success – the League championship – in 1954–55. The following season saw UEFA create the European Champions' Cup, but after objections from The Football League and the FA Chelsea were persuaded to withdraw from the competition before it started.^[16] Chelsea failed to build on this success, and spent the remainder of the 1950s in mid-table. Drake was dismissed in 1961 and replaced by player-coach Tommy Docherty.

Chart showing the progress of Chelsea's league finishes from 1905–1906 season to 2007–08 season

Docherty built a new team around the group of talented young players emerging from the club's youth set-up and Chelsea challenged for honours throughout the 1960s, enduring several near-misses. They were on course for a treble of League, FA Cup and League Cup going into the final stages of the 1964–65 season, winning the League Cup but faltering late on in the other two.^[17] In three seasons the side were beaten in three major semi-finals and were FA Cup runners-up. Under Docherty's successor, Dave Sexton, Chelsea won the FA Cup in 1970, beating Leeds United 2–1 in a final replay. Chelsea took their first European honour, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph, the following year, with another replayed win, this time over Real Madrid in Athens.
The late 1970s through to the 1980s was a turbulent period for Chelsea. An ambitious redevelopment of Stamford Bridge threatened the financial stability of the club,^[18] star players were sold and the team were relegated. Further problems were caused by a notorious hooligan element among the support, which was to plague the club throughout the decade.^[19] In 1982, Chelsea were, at the nadir of their fortunes, acquired by Ken Bates for the nominal sum of £1, although by now the Stamford Bridge freehold had been sold to property developers, meaning the club faced losing their home.^[20] On the pitch, the team had fared little better, coming close to relegation to the Third Division for the first time, but in 1983 manager John Neal put together an impressive new team for minimal outlay. Chelsea won the Second Division title in 1983–84 and established themselves in the top division, before being relegated again in 1988. The club bounced back immediately by winning the Second Division championship in 1988–89.

Chelsea players celebrate their first UEFA Champions League title

After a long-running legal battle, Bates reunited the stadium freehold with the club in 1992 by doing a deal with the banks of the property developers, who had been bankrupted by a market crash.^[21] Chelsea's form in the new Premier League was unconvincing, although they did reach the 1994 FA Cup Final. It was not until the appointment of Ruud Gullit as player-manager in 1996 that their fortunes changed. He added several top international players to the side, as the club won the FA Cup in 1997 and established themselves as one of England's top sides again. Gullit was replaced by Gianluca Vialli, who led the team to victory in the League Cup Final and the Cup Winners' Cup Final in 1998, the FA Cup in 2000 and their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League. Vialli was sacked in favour of Claudio Ranieri, who guided Chelsea to the 2002 FA Cup Final and Champions League qualification in 2002–03.
In June 2003, Bates sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for £140 million.^[11] Over £100 million was spent on new players, but Ranieri was unable to deliver any trophies,^[22] and was replaced by José Mourinho.^[23] Under Mourinho, Chelsea became the fifth English team to win back-to-back league championships since the Second World War (2004–05 and 2005–06),^[24] in addition to winning an FA Cup (2007) and two League Cups (2005 and 2007). In September 2007, Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant,^[25] who led the club to their first UEFA Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United. In 2009, caretaker manager Guus Hiddink guided Chelsea to another FA Cup success,^[26] and in 2009–10, his successor Carlo Ancelotti led them to their first league and FA Cup "Double", becoming the first English club to score 100 league goals in a season since 1963.^[27] In June 2011, Ancelotti was sacked and replaced by André Villas-Boas,^[28] who was in turn dismissed in March 2012. Under caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea won their seventh FA Cup,^[29] and their first UEFA Champions League title, beating Bayern Munich 4–3 on penalties,^[30] the first London club to win the trophy.^[30]

Stadium

Main article: Stamford Bridge (stadium)

Stamford Bridge
The Bridge
Location	Fulham Road, Fulham London, England, SW6 1HS
Opened	28 April 1877[31]
Renovated	1904–1905, 1990s
Owner	Chelsea Pitch Owners plc
Operator	Chelsea F.C.
Architect	Archibald Leitch (1887)
Capacity	41,837-seat[2]
Field dimensions	103 x 67 metres (112.6 x 73.3 yards)[2]
Tenants
London Athletics Club (1877–1904) Chelsea F.C. (1905–present)

Chelsea have only ever had one home ground, Stamford Bridge, where they have played since foundation. It was officially opened on 28 April 1877 and for the first 28 years of its existence it was used almost exclusively by the London Athletics Club as an arena for athletics meetings and not at all for football. In 1904 the ground was acquired by businessman Gus Mears and his brother Joseph, who had also purchased nearby land (formerly a large market garden) with the aim of staging football matches on the now 12.5 acre (51,000 m²) site.^[31] Stamford Bridge was designed for the Mears family by the noted football architect Archibald Leitch, who had also designed Ibrox, Celtic Park and Hampden Park.^[32] Most football clubs were founded first, and then sought grounds in which to play, but Chelsea were founded for Stamford Bridge.
Starting with an open bowl-like design and one covered terrace, Stamford Bridge had an original capacity of around 100,000.^[31] The early 1930s saw the construction of a terrace on the southern part of the ground with a roof that covered around one fifth of the stand. It eventually became known as the "Shed End", the home of Chelsea's most loyal and vocal supporters, particularly during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The exact origins of the name are unclear, but the fact that the roof looked like a corrugated iron shed roof played a part.^[31]
In the early 1970s the club's owners announced a modernisation of Stamford Bridge with plans for a state-of-the-art 50,000 all-seater stadium.^[31] Work began on the East Stand in 1972 but the project was beset with problems and was never completed; the cost brought the club close to bankruptcy, culminating in the freehold being sold to property developers. Following a long legal battle, it was not until the mid-1990s that Chelsea's future at the stadium was secured and renovation work resumed.^[31] The north, west and southern parts of the ground were converted into all-seater stands and moved closer to the pitch, a process completed by 2001.
When Stamford Bridge was redeveloped in the Ken Bates era many additional features were added to the complex including two hotels, apartments, bars, restaurants, the Chelsea Megastore, and an interactive visitor attraction called Chelsea World of Sport. The intention was that these facilities would provide extra revenue to support the football side of the business, but they were less successful than hoped and before the Abramovich takeover in 2003 the debt taken on to finance them was a major burden on the club. Soon after the takeover a decision was taken to drop the "Chelsea Village" brand and refocus on Chelsea as a football club. However, the stadium is sometimes still referred to as part of "Chelsea Village" or "The Village".

Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on 23 September 1905; Chelsea won 1–0.

The Stamford Bridge freehold, the pitch, the turnstiles and Chelsea's naming rights are now owned by Chelsea Pitch Owners, a non-profit organisation in which fans are the shareholders. The CPO was created to ensure the stadium could never again be sold to developers. As a condition for using the Chelsea FC name, the club has to play its first team matches at Stamford Bridge, which means that if the club moves to a new stadium, they may have to change their name.^[33] Chelsea's training ground is located in Cobham, Surrey. Chelsea moved to Cobham in 2004. Their previous training ground in Harlington was taken over by QPR in 2005.^[34] The new training facilities in Cobham were completed in 2007.^[35]
Stamford Bridge has been used for a variety of other sporting events since 1905. It hosted the FA Cup Final from 1920 to 1922,^[36] has held ten FA Cup semi-finals (most recently in 1978), ten FA Charity Shield matches (the last in 1970), and three England international matches, the last in 1932; it was also the venue for an unofficial Victory International in 1946.^[37]

View from the West Stand of Stamford Bridge during a Champions League game, 2008

In October 1905 it hosted a rugby union match between the All Blacks and Middlesex,^[38] and in 1914 hosted a baseball match between the touring New York Giants and the Chicago White Sox.^[39] It was the venue for a boxing match between world flyweight champion Jimmy Wilde and Joe Conn in 1918.^[40] The running track was used for dirt track racing between 1928 and 1932,^[41] greyhound racing from 1933 to 1968, and Midget car racing in 1948.^[42] In 1980, Stamford Bridge hosted the first international floodlit cricket match in the UK, between Essex and the West Indies.^[43] It was also the home stadium of the London Monarchs American Football team for the 1997 season.^[44]
The current club ownership have stated that a larger stadium is necessary in order for Chelsea to stay competitive with rival clubs who have significantly larger stadia, such as Arsenal and Manchester United.^[45] Owing to its location next to a main road and two railway lines, fans can only enter the ground via the Fulham Road exits, which places constraints on expansion due to health and safety regulations.^[46] The club have consistently affirmed their desire to keep Chelsea at their current home,^[47][48][49] but Chelsea have nonetheless been linked with a move to various nearby sites, including the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Battersea Power Station and the Chelsea Barracks.^[50] On 3 October 2011, Chelsea made a proposal to CPO shareholders to buy back the freehold to the land on which Stamford Bridge sits, stating that "buying back the freehold removes a potential hurdle should a suitable site become available in the future".^[51] The proposal was voted down by CPO shareholders.^[52] In May 2012, the club made a formal bid to purchase Battersea Power Station, with a view to developing the site into a 60,000 seater stadium.^[53] Chelsea released artistic impressions of the proposed stadium at the Battersea site on 22 June 2012.^[54]

Crest and colours

Crest

Since the club's foundation, Chelsea have had four main crests, though all underwent minor variations. In 1905, Chelsea adopted as their first crest the image of a Chelsea pensioner, which contributed to the "pensioner" nickname, and remained for the next half-century, though it never appeared on the shirts. As part of Ted Drake's modernisation of the club from 1952 onwards, he insisted that the pensioner badge be removed from the match day programme in order to change the club's image and that a new crest be adopted.^[55] As a stop-gap, a temporary emblem comprising simply the initials C.F.C. was adopted for one year. In 1953, Chelsea's crest was changed to an upright blue lion looking backwards and holding a staff, which was to endure for the next three decades. This crest was based on elements in the coat of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea^[56] with the "lion rampant regardant" taken from the arms of then club president Viscount Chelsea and the staff from the Abbots of Westminster, former Lords of the Manor of Chelsea. It also featured three red roses, to represent England, and two footballs. This was the first club badge to appear on shirts, since the policy of putting the crest on the shirts was only adopted in the early 1960s.^[55]
In 1986, with Ken Bates now owner of the club, Chelsea's crest was changed again as part of another attempt to modernise and to capitalise on new marketing opportunities.^[55] The new badge featured a more naturalistic non-heraldic lion, in white and not blue, standing over the C.F.C. initials. It lasted for the next 19 years, with some modifications such as the use of different colours, including red from 1987 to 1995, and yellow from 1995 until 1999, before the white returned.^[57] With the new ownership of Roman Abramovich, and the club's centenary approaching, combined with demands from fans for the popular 1950s badge to be restored, it was decided that the crest should be changed again in 2005. The new crest was officially adopted for the start of the 2005–06 season and marked a return to the older design, used from 1953–86, featuring a blue heraldic lion holding a staff. For the centenary season this was accompanied by the words '100 YEARS' and 'CENTENARY 2005–2006' on the top and bottom of the crest respectively.^[6]

• 

  Chelsea's crest, 1905–52
  
• 

  Chelsea's crest, 1952–53
  
• 

  Chelsea's crest, 1953–86
  
• 

  Chelsea's crest, 1986–2005
  
• 

  Chelsea's crest, 2005–06,
  which commemorated Chelsea's 100th anniversary, was used only in the 2005–06 season
  

Colours

Chelsea's first home colours, used from 1905 until c.1912.

Chelsea have always worn blue shirts, although they originally used the paler eton blue, which was taken from the racing colours of then club president, Earl Cadogan, and was worn with white shorts and dark blue or black socks.^[58] The light blue shirts were replaced by a royal blue version in around 1912.^[59] In the 1960s Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty changed the kit again, switching to blue shorts (which have remained ever since) and white socks, believing it made the club's colours more modern and distinctive, since no other major side used that combination; this kit was first worn during the 1964–65 season.^[60] Since then Chelsea have always worn white socks with their home kit apart from a short spell from 1985 to 1992, when blue socks were reintroduced.
Chelsea's traditional away colours are all yellow or all white with blue trim, but, as with most teams, they have had some more unusual ones. The first away strip consisted of black and white stripes and for one game in the 1960s the team wore blue and black stripes, inspired by Inter Milan's kit, again at Docherty's behest.^[61] Other memorable away kits include a mint green strip in the 1980s, a red and white checked one in the early 90s and a graphite and tangerine edition in the mid-1990s.^[62]

Supporters

Chelsea fans at a match against Tottenham Hotspur, on 11 March 2006

Chelsea have the fifth highest average all-time attendance in English football^[7] and regularly attract over 40,000 fans to Stamford Bridge; they were the sixth best-supported Premier League team in the 2011–12 season, with an average gate of 41,478.^[8] Chelsea's traditional fanbase comes from all over the Greater London area including working-class parts such as Hammersmith and Battersea, wealthier areas like Chelsea and Kensington, and from the home counties. There are also numerous official supporters clubs in the United Kingdom and all over the world.^[63] At matches, Chelsea fans sing chants such as "Carefree" (to the tune of Lord of the Dance, whose lyrics were probably written by supporter Mick Greenaway^[64][65]), "Ten Men Went to Mow", "We All Follow the Chelsea" (to the tune of Land of Hope and Glory), "Zigga Zagga", and the celebratory "Celery", with the latter often resulting in fans ritually throwing celery. The vegetable was banned inside Stamford Bridge after an incident involving Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas at the 2007 League Cup Final.^[66]
During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, Chelsea supporters were associated with football hooliganism. The club's "football firm", originally known as the Chelsea Shed Boys, and subsequently as the Chelsea Headhunters, were nationally notorious for violent acts involving hooligans from other teams, such as West Ham United's Inter City Firm and Millwall's Bushwackers, before, during and after matches.^[67] The increase of hooligan incidents in the 1980s led chairman Ken Bates to propose erecting an electric fence to deter them from invading the pitch, a proposal that the Greater London Council rejected.^[68] Since the 1990s there has been a marked decline in crowd trouble at matches, as a result of stricter policing, CCTV in grounds and the advent of all-seater stadia.^[69] In 2007, the club launched the 'Back to the Shed' campaign to improve the atmosphere at home matches, with notable success. According to Home Office statistics, 126 Chelsea fans were arrested for football-related offences during the 2009–10 season, the third highest in the division, and 27 banning orders were issued, the fifth highest in the division.^[70]

Rivalries

Main articles: West London derby, Arsenal F.C.–Chelsea F.C. rivalry, and Chelsea F.C.–Leeds United A.F.C. rivalry

Chelsea do not have a traditional rivalry on the scale of the Merseyside derby or the North London derby because their West London derbies with Fulham or Queens Park Rangers have not been as prominent over the years since the clubs have often been in different divisions. A 2004 survey by Planetfootball.com found that Chelsea fans consider their main rivalries to be with (in order): Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.^[71] Their rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur is said to have developed following the 1967 FA Cup Final, the first cup final held between two London clubs. Additionally, a strong rivalry with Leeds United dates back to several heated and controversial matches in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the 1970 FA Cup Final.^[72] More recently a rivalry with Liverpool has grown following repeated clashes in cup competitions.^[73]

Records

For more details on this topic, see List of Chelsea F.C. records and statistics.

Of Chelsea's current players, Frank Lampard has made the most appearances and scored the most goals

Chelsea's highest appearance-maker is ex-captain Ron Harris, who played in 795 first-class games for the club between 1961 and 1980.^[74] This record is unlikely to be broken in the near future; Chelsea's current highest appearance-maker is Frank Lampard with 561.^[75] The record for a Chelsea goalkeeper is held by Harris's contemporary, Peter Bonetti, who made 729 appearances (1959–79). With 91 caps (89 while at the club), Frank Lampard of England is Chelsea's most capped international player. Bobby Tambling is Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer, with 202 goals in 370 games (1959–70).^[74] Eight other players have also scored over 100 goals for Chelsea: George Hilsdon (1906–12), George Mills (1929–39), Roy Bentley (1948–56), Jimmy Greaves (1957–61), Peter Osgood (1964–74 and 1978–79), Kerry Dixon (1983–92), Frank Lampard (2001–) and Didier Drogba (2004–12). Greaves holds the record for the most goals scored in one season (43 in 1960–61). Lampard is the top scorer currently at the club with 188.^[75]
Chelsea's biggest winning scoreline in a competitive match is 13–0, achieved against Jeunesse Hautcharage in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971.^[76] The club's biggest top-flight win was an 8–0 victory against Wigan Athletic in 2010.^[77] Chelsea's biggest loss was an 8–1 reverse against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1953.^[78] Officially, Chelsea's highest home attendance is 82,905 for a First Division match against Arsenal on 12 October 1935. However, an estimated crowd of over 100,000 attended a friendly match against Soviet team Dynamo Moscow on 13 November 1945.^[79][80] The modernisation of Stamford Bridge during the 1990s and the introduction of all-seater stands mean that neither record will be broken for the foreseeable future. The current legal capacity of Stamford Bridge is 41,837.^[2]

Didier Drogba is Chelsea's highest scoring overseas player and holds the club record for goals in European football (34)

Chelsea hold the English record for the highest ever points total for a league season (95), the fewest goals conceded during a league season (15), the highest number of Premier League victories in a season (29), the highest number of clean sheets overall in a Premier League season (25) (all set during the 2004–05 season),^[81] and the most consecutive clean sheets from the start of a league season (6, set during the 2005–06 season).^[82] The club's 21–0 aggregate victory over Jeunesse Hautcharage in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 remains a record in European competition.^[83] Chelsea hold the record for the longest streak of unbeaten matches at home in the English top-flight, which lasted 86 matches from 20 March 2004 to 26 October 2008. They secured the record on 12 August 2007, beating the previous record of 63 matches unbeaten set by Liverpool between 1978 and 1980.^[84][85] Chelsea's streak of eleven consecutive away league wins, set between 5 April 2008 and 6 December 2008, is also a record for the English top flight.^[86] Their £50m purchase of Fernando Torres in January 2011 is a British record transfer fee.^[87]
Chelsea, along with Arsenal, were the first club to play with shirt numbers, on 25 August 1928 in their match against Swansea Town.^[88] They were the first English side to travel by aeroplane to a domestic away match, when they visited Newcastle United on 19 April 1957,^[89] and the first First Division side to play a match on a Sunday, when they faced Stoke City on 27 January 1974. On 26 December 1999, Chelsea became the first British side to field an entirely foreign starting line-up (no British or Irish players) in a Premier League match against Southampton.^[90] On 19 May 2007, they became the first team to win the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium, having also been the last to win it at the old Wembley.^[91] At the end of the 2007–08 season, Chelsea became the highest ranked club under UEFA's five-year coefficient system, the first English club to do so in the 21st century.^[92] On the final day of the 2009–10 season, Chelsea became the first team in Premier League history to score at least 100 goals in a single season.^[27] In 2012, Chelsea became the first London based club to win the UEFA Champions League, after beating Bayern Munich in the final.^[4][5]

Finances and ownership

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich

Chelsea Football Club is owned by Chelsea FC plc, whose ultimate parent company is Fordstam Limited, which is controlled by Roman Abramovich.^[93] Previously, Ken Bates had owned a controlling stake in Chelsea since 1982, when he bought it from Brian Mears, whose family had owned the club since founding it in 1905. The club was floated on the AIM stock exchange in March 1996.^[94] In July 2003 Abramovich purchased Bates' 29.5% stake in Chelsea Village plc and over the following weeks bought out most of the remaining 12,000 shareholders at 35 pence per share, completing a £140 million takeover. Other shareholders at the time of the takeover included the Matthew Harding estate (21%), BSkyB (9.9%) and various anonymous offshore trusts.^[95] After passing the 90% share threshold, Abramovich took the club back into private hands, delisting it from the AIM on 22 August 2003.^[96]
Chelsea has been described as a global brand; a 2012 report by Brand Finance ranked Chelsea fifth and valued the club's brand value at US $398 million – an increase of 27% from the previous year, also valuing it at US $10 million more than the sixth best brand, London rivals Arsenal – and gave the brand a strength rating of AA (very strong).^[97][98] In 2012, Forbes magazine ranked Chelsea was seventh in their list of the ten most valuable football clubs in the world, valuing the club's brand at £473 million ($761 million).^[9][10] Chelsea are currently ranked sixth in the Deloitte Football Money League^[99] with an annual commercial revenue of £225.6 million.^[100] Chelsea are additionally funded by Abramovich via interest free soft loans channelled through his holding company Fordstam Limited. The loans stood at £709 million in December 2009, when they were all converted to equity by Abramovich, leaving the club itself debt free,^[101][102] although the debt remains with Fordstam.^[103] Since 2008 the club has had no external debt.^[104]
Chelsea's kit has been manufactured by Adidas since 2006, which is contracted to supply the club's kit from 2006 to 2018. The partnership was extended in October 2010 in a deal worth £160 million over eight years.^[105] Previously, the kit was manufactured by Umbro (1968–81), Le Coq Sportif (1981–86), The Chelsea Collection (1986–87) and Umbro again (1987–2006). Chelsea's first shirt sponsor was Gulf Air, agreed during the 1983–84 season. The club were then sponsored by Grange Farms, Bai Lin Tea and Simod before a long-term deal was signed with Commodore International in 1989; Amiga, an off-shoot of Commodore, also appeared on the shirts. Chelsea were subsequently sponsored by Coors beer (1995–97), Autoglass (1997–2001) and Emirates Airline (2001–05). Chelsea's current shirt sponsor is Samsung^[106] who took over the sponsorship from their mobile division in 2007–08. The club also has a variety of other sponsors and partners, which include Delta Air Lines,^[107] Sauber, Audi, Gazprom,^[108] Singha, Thomas Cook Sport, BNI, 188BET, EA Sports, Coca Cola, Dolce & Gabbana, Lucozade Sport and Viagogo.^[109]

Popular culture

Chelsea parade through the streets of Fulham and Chelsea after winning their league and cup double, May 2010

In 1930, Chelsea featured in one of the earliest football films, The Great Game.^[110] One-time Chelsea centre forward, Jack Cock, who by then was playing for Millwall, was the star of the film and several scenes were shot at Stamford Bridge, including the pitch, the boardroom, and the dressing rooms. It included guest appearances by then-Chelsea players Andrew Wilson, George Mills, and Sam Millington.^[111] Owing to the notoriety of the Chelsea Headhunters, a football firm associated with the club, Chelsea have also featured in films about football hooliganism, including 2004's The Football Factory.^[112] Chelsea also appear in the Hindi film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.^[113] In April 2011, Montenegrin comedy series Nijesmo mi od juče made an episode in which Chelsea plays against FK Sutjeska Nikšić for qualification of the UEFA Champions League.^[114][115]
Up until the 1950s, the club had a long-running association with the music halls, with their underachievement often providing material for comedians such as George Robey.^[116] It culminated in comedian Norman Long's release of a comic song in 1933, ironically titled "On the Day That Chelsea Went and Won the Cup", the lyrics of which describe a series of bizarre and improbable occurrences on the hypothetical day when Chelsea finally won a trophy.^[15] The song "Blue is the Colour" was released as a single in the build-up to the 1972 League Cup Final, with all members of Chelsea's first team squad singing; it reached number five in the UK Singles Chart.^[117] (The song was later adopted, as an anthem, by the Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada, after being changed to "White is the Colour".^[118]) In the build-up to the 1997 FA Cup Final, the song "Blue Day", performed by Suggs and members of the Chelsea squad, reached number 22 in the UK charts.^[119] Bryan Adams, a fan of Chelsea,^[120] dedicated the song "We're Gonna Win" from the album 18 Til I Die to the club.^[121]

Chelsea Ladies

For more details on this topic, see Chelsea L.F.C..

Chelsea also operate a women's football team, Chelsea Ladies. It has been affiliated to the men's team since 2004,^[122] and is part of the club's Community Development programme. They play their home games at Imperial Fields, the home ground of Isthmian League club Tooting & Mitcham United.^[123] The club won the Surrey County Cup in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010,^[124] and were promoted to the Premier Division for the first time in 2005 as Southern Division champions. In the 2009–10 season, they finished 3rd in the Premier League, equalling their highest ever placing, and in 2010 were one of the eight founder members of the FA Women's Super League.^[125] John Terry, the current captain of the Chelsea men's team, is President of Chelsea LFC.^[126]