Time up for Torres?

With Radamel Falcao a likely target for Chelsea in January, is Fernando Torres in terminal decline?

It may seem like kicking a man when he's quite literally down on his knees but Sunday's red card is likely to distract from an uncomfortable truth facing Chelsea and their supporters. Fernando Torres is still struggling. The Spain international was sent off for tumbling after being caught by Jonny Evans when advancing on goal. But even that decision to fall, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson mischievously suggested, was the act of a man whose powers may be failing him. "Jonny Evans may have caught him a little bit but you can carry on running, which he could've done," said Ferguson. "But he chose to go down. He could've carried on and scored. That's what I can't understand. I would've never missed that chance. I would've taken it in my time. I would've never gone down. But he did go down - that's the issue - and he's already been booked. So it's his own fault." This was supposed to be a new Torres following the exit of Didier Drogba. Contrary to the idea that the public and press are anxious to write off the striker, many are itching for evidence that he is back to his best. Last season's problems were explained away in various ways. It was tough in the shadow of Drogba; he was bringing lots to the team other than goals; just look at the trophy cabinet at the end of the season. But Torres himself undermined the notion that there was no issue. "It was a mental block, I felt really bad," admitted the Spaniard on his own website. "I felt very well on the field this season because I have become a more complete player but the ball did not fall for me and I felt I was never in the correct position. I watched many videos to study the movements of other strikers, including mine from my spells at Atletico and Liverpool. It helped me a lot because I lost the fear of being in the area. There were times where I lost hope and that has never happened to me before." Torres was talking like a man who had turned the corner. And he had every reason to be optimistic. With Drogba gone and Roberto Di Matteo unconvinced by Daniel Sturridge, minutes in the starting line-up have been forthcoming - and what a line-up it is. With Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar all in-form and ready to provide the service, this was an attacking midfield that any forward would relish playing in front of. Certainly the Fernando Torres of 2008. The Fernando Torres of 2012? Not so much.