Fernando Torres on struggles at Chelsea: 'Like swimming in wet clothes'

The turbulent career of Fernando Torres received a boost on Tuesday as he converted a penalty in the shootout that saw his boyhood club Atletico Madrid advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League at Bayer Leverkusen's expense.

Of course, the experience was likely heightened by the fact that Chelsea were eliminated from the competition last week.

Torres endured three-and-a-half seasons of constant criticism at Stamford Bridge as he was unable to replicate a fraction of the form that saw him tear up defenses at Liverpool. Specifically, he notched 20 goals in 110 appearances for Chelsea and provided the club's supporters with some bewildering misses.

In conversation with Spanish newspaper El Pais, Torres reflected on his time at Chelsea and likened his experience with the club to swimming in wet clothes.

"The doubts were understandable because people did not see the English league, or the short time I was at Milan," Torres said, according to Sky Sports. 

"They read the statistics, and they were not always the same. You end up in a situation where things have not gone well for weeks, or for years. That is like swimming in wet clothes. I know how I am, and I am good. In the end these doubts disappear, but then others come again."

Since arriving at Atleti on loan from AC Milan, Torres has notched three goals and one assist in 15 appearances.