Carlo Ancelotti made the right decision in starting Fernando Torres at Old Trafford last night. If he had not, it would have been a clear vote of no confidence in the Spaniard and thus Torres's confidence would have taken a further blow, meaning it would just take even longer to rebuild.
It was vital Ancelotti showed faith in his 50 million pound man in such an important game for the football club - and possibly for his own future at Chelsea. Torres must surely take something positive from that decision. If he does not, then he has not realised the magnitude of the occasion.
It has been the mightiest of migraines since game one. How do we fit Torres into our team? What role do we want him to play? What role should he play so as to get the best out of other players? There is no doubting Torres is of world class proportions, but should Chelsea have not asked themselves these questions and pondered whether he would be compatibile with the club's current attacking players before forking out an astronomical amount of money?
It is almost inconceivable that one of the world's most sought-after and prolific strikers has gone nearly 700 minutes on the field for Chelsea without scoring a goal. He also has precisely zero assists. But it just shows how a striker's confidence and belief in himself can plummet, and how not all the best players can be compatible and in harmony with one another to create success.
There was a moment within the first 10 minutes last night when Nicolas Anelka was raiding down the right-hand side, Torres making a run ahead of him and behind Rio Ferdinand, but just as Anelka played his through-ball for Torres, the Spaniard changed the direction of his run slightly, the ball running behind him and comfortably being collected by a defender and cleared. It was a moment that summed up their relationship.
You would think that two such quality players like Anelka and Torres could play together with great success, but so far their lack of understanding has been the most glaring of attributes.
It does not look like the situation will improve anytime soon either - not as long as Torres plays with about as much vigour and gusto as a dead goat. That now-familiar look of apathy and glumness as he wanders around the pitch, seemingly unwilling to break sweat in pressurising opponents, was not a surprise to witness once again, but some might have hoped for more given the importance of the match.
Ancelotti had no choice but to replace him with Didier Drogba at the break. He had given him the opportunity to show desire, appetite and passion to contribute to a Chelsea win and turn that corner that so desperately needs to be turned - yet the faith the Italian showed in Torres was not rewarded in any way whatsoever.
In contrast, Drogba was far livelier, and his one-two with Anelka before getting a shot away that flashed narrowly wide just before the hour mark underlined the improved on-field relationships. Whether that is due to time playing with one another, or just that they are more naturally in sync due to the type of player they are, is something open for debate. You would think, though, that Torres and Anelka have trained with each other for the last couple of months and been able to develop an understanding.
Whilst Torres managed just a weak header off target in the first half, the second half produced two efforts (one off, one on target) and a goal from Drogba. The Ivorian's clever drift in behind Patrice Evra as Michael Essien lifted the ball over to him, his delicate first touch with his puffed-out chest and his right-foot finish were executed with all the brilliance Torres can only dream about at the moment.
It was the right decision to start with Torres, but it was also brave, and in hindsight, it was also stupid. How Chelsea are going to get value for that £50m is the massive headache that does not look like going away too swiftly.
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