Mar 22, 2011

Fernando Torres struggling but Sportsmail remembers other stars and their barren spells

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22 Mar 2011 - 13:18:03


Chelsea's 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday may have kept alive their slim title hopes, but for Fernando Torres it was another game without a goal since his British-record switch from Liverpool. As the ?50m man continues to toil without reward for Carlo Ancelotti's side, Sportsmail recalls three other big-money strikers who went on barren runs for new clubs before exploding to life. Torres's opposite number in the match at Stamford Bridge, ?27m Edin Dzeko, should also take note. While he has netted four times in cup competitions since moving from Wolfsburg, the Bosnian has not scored in eight league games for Roberto Mancini's side and may be feeling the pressure. But scoring early on in your career is no guarantee of future success - just check out our trio of forwards who bagged on their debuts, only to prove a waste of money in the long-run. Finding it tough: Fernando Torres is substituted during Chelsea's clash with Manchester City on Sunday Three hits after barren runs:Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal, 1995 - 2006) Cost: ?7.5m from Inter MilanDid not score for: six gamesFirst goal: Bagged brace in 4-2 win over Southampton at HighburyWhat happened next: Brought a kind of flair and skill not before seen at Arsenal and became a Gunners legend in the process. Won the league and cup double in 1997-98 and was voted PFA Player of the Year that season, having managed the outrageous feat of taking first, second and third places in Match of the Day's Goal of the Month competition. A member of Arsenal's 'Invicibles' side from 2003-04, he won three titles, four FA Cups with Arsenal, scoring 121 goals, before retiring in 2006. One of the greats: Dennis Bergkamp scoring against Bolton in 2004 Thierry Henry (Arsenal, 1999 - 2007) Cost: ?10.5m from JuventusDid not score for: eight gamesFirst goal: Winner against Southampton at The DellWhat happened next: Became arguably the most stylish player in Premier League history, combining incredible goal-getting with consistent flamboyance. Finished his first season with 26 goals and went on to breach the 20-goal barrier in five consecutive league campaigns. He broke Ian Wright's Arsenal scoring record on the way to winning two titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners prior to moving to Barcelona. Currently sits third in the all-time Premier League scorers chart with 174. What a star: Thierry Henry will long be remembered at Arsenal Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United, 2008 - ) Cost: ?30.75mDid not score for: four gamesFirst goal: Netted twice in 3-0 win away to Aalborg in Champions LeagueWhat happened next: While his ingenuity was never in doubt, his ability to hit the net was questioned for two seasons at Old Trafford. Just 26 goals in 87 appearances was not seen as a good enough return, despite the occasional sparkling play. But he has stepped up this season, scoring bucket-loads, including three hat-tricks. His winner against Bolton on Saturday made it 20 in the league - only the sixth United player under Sir Alex Ferguson to reach the mark. Another crucial strike: Dimitar Berbatov scores the winner against Bolton on Saturday Three misses despite goals on debut:Andrey Shevchenko (Chelsea, 2006 - 2009) Cost: ?30m from AC MilanFirst goal: Equaliser in 2-1 Community Shield loss to LiverpoolWhat happened next: Roman Abromovich's former favourite striker didn't live up to his billing after a much-publicised chase. He scored just four league goals as Chelsea failed to win the title for the first time under Jose Mourinho. Hopeless displays and just eight goals in all competitions the next season led to a loan move back to Milan for 2008-09. Released by the Blues in August 2009, he is now at his first club Dinamo Kiev. It just didn't work out: Shevchenko didn't prove to be a hit for Chelsea Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City, 2009 - ) Cost: ?25m from ArsenalFirst goal: In 2-0 win away to BlackburnWhat happened next: Scored in each of his first four league games, finishing with 14 goals for the season. But he fell out of favour with Roberto Mancini after a well-reported bust-up and only started two league games this campaign. Was shipped out on loan to Real Madrid in late January with his tail between his legs. Frustration: Adebayor has struggled to shine at Manchester City Robinho (Manchester City, 2008 - 2010) Cost: ?32.5mFirst goal: Scored opener in 3-1 defeat at home to ChelseaWhat happened next: Perhaps English football's biggest flop - and surely the most expensive. Scored 12 times in his first 19 games for City but was unable to continue his form into the second half of the season. A series of poor displays meant he was allowed to return to Santos on loan in January 2010. Was last summer sold to AC Milan for less than half what City paid, with each goal having cost the club nearly ?2m. Robinho: Frustration was never far away P.S - here's one who had to leave England to start banging them in Diego Forlan (Manchester United, 2002 - 2004) Cost: ?7.5m from IndependienteDid not score for: 26 gamesWhat happened next: Despite scoring crucial goals to help United win the title in 2002-03, he was sold to Villarreal for ?2m in 2004. He notched 59 times in 125 games for the Yellow Submarine, winning the European Golden Shoe in 2005, and earning a ?20m move to Atletico Madrid. There the Uruguayan has bagged 96 goals in 188 games and won the Golden Shoe again. He completed the turnaround at last summer's World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament having finished joint top-scorer.  King David is head boy as Luiz gets jump on ManciniJamie Redknapp's weekend watch: Another late show from Man United  Explore more:People: Robinho, Fernando Torres, Thierry Henry, Edin Dzeko, Ian Wright, Dimitar Berbatov, Roberto Mancini, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, Milan, United Kingdom


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