Since Torres scored the infamous goal against Germany in 2008, there haven´t been all that good performances from Fernando Torres in a España-shirt. But recent performances has seen Torres find his way back into the hearts, and mostly hopes of a nation. “The kid”, often called in Spain has seen players like Villa, Llorente and Negredo take his place in recent times. But Spain´s National Team coach, Vicente Del Bosque has said before that “Torres is one of us”, despite the fact that it was quite a while ago that Torres performed on the international stage with Spain.

I’ve seen signs that he could prove to be a joker during the European Championships next year, something we´ve all seen during the recent weeks with Chelsea, and this hasn´t gone unnoticed as Vicente Del Bosque says he´s in the troop:

“Because he has proved to be good in his club. He has had his verdicts that haven´t passed by anybody but for the European Championships nobody will receive priveleges.”

You could agree to that extent that Torres has performed for Chelsea during recent weeks, but on the other side there are many fighting for places in Spain´s starstudded side. Torres will have to prove his critics wrong and I hopefully think he will, as having a Fernando Torres in your side (which are expected to win gold again) is of benefit rather than what some pundits want to claim: A burden they say.

Del Bosque is also very keen on reiterating the same answer when questioned about Torres, something that may annoy Torres himself in more than one way:

“You got to extend the perspective far more before those in power try to judge him permanently. We have to be just, there has been much competition (for places). Torres has a precedent and a present but I am not a traitor and he´s found stability and performed good for his club, as anyone have seen.”

El Niño, or the kid, is a major plus to any team, but he might get to have a smaller role this time around in Spain´s quest for gold.