Got to weigh and defend mikel here, he's a lot better than he is given credit for. Not as creative as carrick, but better in the tackle (carrick is better at intercepting the ball) and more consistent, and a very accurate passer.
RE: Torres, I dont think he has struggled massively in the PL physically what he suffered was a mix of a poor side, poor personal performance, loss of confidence and niggling injuries so that he was never fully fit, but he is looking refreshed confident and very dangerous, and defintely more than capable of playing as a lone forward. CJacko11, to be a lone front man you done necessarily have to be a beat like drogba or rooney, Torres is strong enough in his own right, his game is more about the channels, than coming deep and holding the ball like rooney drogba chamakh etc