Fernando Torres selects dream Chelsea and Liverpool combined XI but there’s no place for Eden Hazard

Fernando Torres selects dream Chelsea and Liverpool combined XI but there’s no place for Eden Hazard as former Spain striker opts for shock Reds inclusions

  • Fernando Torres selected the best 11 team-mates from his time at both clubs
  • Torres left out Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Petr Cech from his combined XI
  • The former striker found space for two Reds players he says were underrated

Fernando Torres has selected a combined XI from his time at Chelsea and Liverpool – but there’s no place for Eden Hazard in his dream team.

Torres spent four years at Liverpool between 2007 and 2011 before joining Chelsea in a £50 million move, where he won the Champions League Europa League and FA Cup.

The 36-year-old announced his retirement from football last season after winding down his career at Japanese side Sagan Tosu. 

Fernando Torres has picked a combined Liverpool and Chelsea XI from his time at both clubs

Torres spent four goal-laden seasons at Anfield before joining Chelsea in a £50m move in 2011

Torres spent four goal-laden seasons at Anfield before joining Chelsea in a £50m move in 2011

The former striker won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup at Stamford Bridge

The former striker won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup at Stamford Bridge

Shortly after retiring he returned to Stamford Bridge to visit former team-mates and colleagues and was asked to name a combined XI of Liverpool and Chelsea players.

It was no easy task, with Torres forced to leave out a host of star names. He said: ‘I could make two or three teams of people I played with at Chelsea and Liverpool, and all of them would be good enough to win the Premier League in any year.’

After much deliberation, the Spaniard opted for former Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina between the posts. ‘With Reina I shared many times in Liverpool and also in the national team. ‘Petr Cech is obviously one of the best goalkeepers I ever played with, so it would be a very difficult decision as a coach to make.’ 

Former Liverpool No 1, Pepe Reina, got the nod in goal ahead of Chelsea legend Petr Cech

Former Liverpool No 1, Pepe Reina, got the nod in goal ahead of Chelsea legend Petr Cech

Torres named John Terry and Sami Hyypia as centre-back partners at the heart of his back four

Torres named John Terry and Sami Hyypia as centre-back partners at the heart of his back four 

Chelsea pair Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic were given the full-back berths by Torres

Chelsea pair Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic were given the full-back berths by Torres

Torres opted for a 4-3-3 formation and a host of star names from his time at both clubs

Torres opted for a 4-3-3 formation and a host of star names from his time at both clubs

At the heart of the back four, Torres opted for the hardened duo of John Terry and Sami Hyypia, who he believes would’ve formed an excellent partnership.

‘I would have Sami Hyypia and John Terry in the middle of the defence – two strong centre-backs who are good with the ball and without the ball. I think they would be a really good partnership as well.’ 

Torres opted for Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic as his choices at full-back before naming a stellar midfield trio in his 4-3-3 formation.

‘The midfield might be the most difficult part, as I’ve been lucky to play with some fantastic midfielders. Obviously I have to go for Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, both of them have to be in there.

Unsurprisingly, former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard made the cut for Torres' team

Unsurprisingly, former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard made the cut for Torres’ team

Xabi Alonso was also given a starting place in a holding role behind Gerrard and Lampard

Xabi Alonso was also given a starting place in a holding role behind Gerrard and Lampard

Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun were surprise inclusions as forwards either side of Didier Drogba

Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun were surprise inclusions as forwards either side of Didier Drogba

Torres says Drogba was a natural choice as the man to lead the line as a lone striker in his side

Torres says Drogba was a natural choice as the man to lead the line as a lone striker in his side

‘I played with so many great midfielders it’s very hard to pick. I played with many, many great players and I’m worried I’m going to have to leave some of them out, but I will have Xabi Alonso as the other midfielder, playing behind Gerrard and Lampard.’

In attack, Torres chose Didier Drogba to lead the line but despite playing alongside a host of big name forwards at both clubs, he chose two players he believes were underrated but would ensure plenty of creativity.

‘I will get Yossi Benayoun in there, who played for both Liverpool and Chelsea. He’s a great friend and a great player. It was easy to play with him for me, he was always trying to give chances to the striker and looking for those small gaps that no-one can see but him.

”I will pick Dirk Kuyt on the right. He was always scoring important goals and put in a lot of hard work, always. It was amazing seeing the way he used to work and I don’t think people really appreciated how good he was, but I could see it every day in training.’ 

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