I don't enjoy watching Fernando Torres struggling for goals and snatching at chances because I know how it feels.
Strikers are expected to score goals. When you don't, it is a problem, no matter how well you've played or how much effort you've put in.
I look back at my career with great satisfaction. I am proud that I am second in the all-time Premier League top scorer chart with 187 goals, even more so because I didn't take free kicks and very rarely took penalties, but I had some very rough moments. Every striker has them.
The most difficult period in my career was in 1995/96 when I was at Manchester United.
It got so bad that when I woke up early one morning because my boy was ill, I looked outside to see that someone had put a "For Sale" sign outside our house. The things that faceless people will do.
Another time, a little kid approached me when I was taking my boy to nursery and said: "My dad says you're a spooner." I didn't know what spooner meant, but I knew what it implied and it wasn't positive.
The newspapers had it in for me - more so because I was the most expensive player in English football, a tag which now belongs to Torres.
They expected goals, goals, goals and when it didn't happen I was hammered for it.
Later on, the same journalists who had criticised me tried to pat me on the back. I never stopped reading the newspapers because I wanted to see who was slating me. I remembered everything.
I felt I had the support of most, but not all, United fans. Football fans are fickle and two-faced - the same person who comes up and hugs you when you score is the same bloke who berates you when you miss a chance. You have to ignore all, focus and believe in yourself.
Of course, I was frustrated because I wasn't scoring, just as I am sure Torres is deeply frustrated.
He has now gone more than 1,000 minutes since his last goal but I have stuck up for him before and I will stick up for him again.
He has suffered because of the way that Chelsea play, which is not to his strengths like Liverpool did. At Liverpool chances were created for him. At Chelsea he is feeding on scraps.
It helped that I had the support of the other players and I think Torres has the support of the Chelsea squad and the fans.
It helped that I had the support of the manager, too. Sir Alex Ferguson used to have a word with me in private and his message was always the same: ignore the criticism, keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine.
You know what? He was right. A couple of goals and your problems melt away, although I only finished third top scorer at United that season behind Eric Cantona and Paul Scholes, despite starting more games than both: 11 goals from 34 league appearances was not me at my prolific best.
It is even worse for Torres, who has just two league goals so far this season.
It wasn't like my confidence was shattered or I was out of shape, yet you start to doubt yourself. You wonder why you aren't scoring as many goals, despite doing the same things and having more chances because you are in a better team.
It wasn't like I was training badly either, nor was I fazed by the task of being a centre forward at Manchester United like some previous strikers at Old Trafford. They wilted under pressure, but I just needed to get lucky and I did.
It is exactly the same for Torres. You can see that he is trying hard, but it's just not happening for him.
He is snatching at shots and his confidence is down - and confidence has a lot to do with it - but he is not hiding, didn't decide his huge transfer fee and he has not suddenly become a bad player.
I'd like to think that I had the mental resolve to overcome my problems and I think Torres will, too.
He's not a difficult character and people speak well of him in football. He has also undergone a change of manager which is never easy. I'm glad his new manager has played him for 90 minutes in recent matches because it doesn't help to be hauled off after 70 minutes.
There is one difference between my situation and that of Torres. We won the league and cup double at the end of my "difficult" season.
That is not something Chelsea are going to do this season, no matter how many goals Fernando Torres does or doesn't score.
Andrew Cole's column is written with the assistance of European football correspondent Andy Mitten.
sports@thenational.ae
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETuhoon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFares%20Ghandour%2C%20Dr%20Naif%20Almutawa%2C%20Aymane%20Sennoussi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ehealth%20care%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%20employees%2C%20%24250%2C000%20in%20revenue%0D%3Cbr%3EI%3Cstrong%3Envestment%20stage%3A%20s%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
