Torres blames takeover 'chaos'

Torres blames takeover 'chaos'

Published Mar. 11, 2011 12:05 p.m. ET

Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has labelled the period during the club's takeover saga last October as "chaos".

The saga took its toll on Torres and he left Anfield in January for Premier League rivals Chelsea in January in a £50million move that has left Reds fans upset.

Torres knew the Merseysiders would need time to rebuild after changing hands and felt he needed to move on in order to maintain his successful career.

"I knew I was an idol for the fans but it wasn't the same any more," he told sports daily Marca.

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"The institution was in chaos with the sale. There was all this talk of possible projects.

"In many ways it reminded me of (former club) Atletico Madrid... a great history, many ideas but without money, it needed time. I don't have that.

"People aren't honest in the world of football. You can't say the truth or be clear with people. It's a business and nobody is anyone's friend."

Although Torres has endured an unexpected slow start to life at Stamford Bridge, the Spain international is still pleased to have made the switch.

The 26-year-old has been pleasantly surprised by the camaraderie in Chelsea's camp, stating Liverpool's squad were always serious and rarely open to sharing a joke.

He added: "Chelsea have proved they have top-level players in all departments and that they will always be competitive whatever happens, with an owner who will invest when it is necessary.

"There are more personal relationships and jokes between the players than there were at Liverpool. Everything was much more serious there. Here, you don't have to prove you are a professional, it is assumed."

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