The impact of Fernando Torres on the Premeirship has been staggering and in fantasy terms he’s pushed himself right into the top tier of strikers with 22 goals so far this season. However, a close look at his goal tally reveal some interesting pointers – not only for his owners considering trading him in for the remaining games, but also for any fantasy manager considering the striker for next season.
Torres has started 27 games in the Premiership, with 4 sub appearances. In those games, as I say, he’s hit 22 goals. What is startling however, is that 20 of those goals have come at Anfield. Torres has found the net away from home on just 2 occasions – at Middlesbrough and at Derby. Indeed, his only real success away from home has come in the Carling Cup, where he hit a hat-trick at Reading back in September.
To put this stat into perspective, here’s a list of how the top Premiership strikers have faired away from home this season.
Santa Cruz 12 from 15 goals
Adebayor 12 from 20 goals
Keane 8 from 14 goals
Benjani 6 from 13 goals
Berbatov 5 from 14 goals
Yakubu 4 from 13 goals
Torres 2 from 22 goals
As you see above, Adebayor has scored 12 of his 20 Premiership goals this season away from the Emirates. Santa Cruz has also found the net 12 times away from home, out his 15 Premiership goals in total. A Santa Cruz/Torres rotation up front would have worked rather nicely then – something to consider next season perhaps.
Liverpool’s remaining four games see them play three times away from home at Fulham, Birmingham and Spurs. Even if you dismiss the potential that Torres could well be rested for the Fulham and Birmingham games due to Champions League ties that follow, these stats give Torres owners food for thought. What price a Torres hat-trick at the Cottage?