The reason I say this? Well firstly nobody can be sure in the short to medium term that Torres is going to available on a regular basis. My feeling is from having seen such injuries in similar types of players before, we are going to have to live with the fact that he is going to be injured a couple of times EACH SEASON. Even if I'm wrong, he can't play every game anyway.
Now he is obviously a World-class striker, but if he doesn't play what are Rafa's options? It seems to me there sre four options available to the manager apart from Torres. He has Keane, who unlike Torres apears unable to play up top on his own. Even if we take the view that Keane is about to reproduce his very best form, if Torres isn't there he needs a partner, and he can't play every game either.
We have Kuyt, who can play both as a lone striker or in a pair. These are both undesireable options though for two reasons. Firstly he doesn't actually score goals or look like scoring them when he plays up front, and secondly and more importantly Rafa needs him on the right.
We also have Babel, but the manager seemingly doesn't fancy him as a striker at all. Once again I urge you to put aside your own feelings, from the managers point of view Babel isn't an option as a striker. End of, as someone once said.
That leaves Egg Nog. I don't know what to say really.
So there you go, at our absolute best and most optimistic outlook, Rafa has three strikers in Torres, Keane, Kuyt and Egg Nog as an up and comer. One of his main three is injured, one of them is a regular in his best team at right midfield, and one of them is currently hapless. The up and comer maybe a while coming, so in my judgement we are probably two strikers light, never mind one.
Owen anyone
