Valencia winger Ferran Torres is attracting interest from a whole host of top European clubs heading to the summer transfer window. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus are all reportedly touting for his services.
Torres currently holds a contract at the Mestalla until 2021, with a reported release clause of around £92million. Valencia are believed to be open to selling the young superstar for much less if they decide to cash in this summer.
The Spanish under-21 winger has emerged as one of Europe’s most brightest attacking talents over the past year, and its no wonder why top clubs are scouring for his signature after this just his first full year in La Liga.
So without further ado..
Who is Ferran Torres?
Born in Foios, Horta Nord in the Valencian community, Torres joined the much acclaimed Valencia youth setup in 2006, at the age of just 6, progressing swiftly through the ranks before jumping to the Valencia B team at 16 years of age.
He made his debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 Segunda Division B home defeat to Mallorca B. He was formally promoted to the B team for the 2017/18 campaign. Torres scored his first goal for the side by netting the second in a 4-1 rout of Peralada-Girona B. That same year, after some impressive performances, he was strongly linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona even before featuring for the first team.
As a result, his contract was extended, including a release clause of around €25 million. He was swiftly promoted to the first team soon after, in the new year of 2018.
It wasn’t just domestically where he was making rapid waves, it was on the international scene too. He was part of the side which defeated England in the final of the UEFA European under-17 Championships back in 2017. It was a competition to remember for Torres, he also netting twice and also providing two assists in the Under-17 World Cup the same year.
After the tournament, he then went on to make his first team debut for Valencia in November 2017, in a 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza in the Copa Del Rey. He then later became the first player born in the 2000s to feature in the La Liga, in a 2-1 defeat to Eibar at the age of 17.
Now a regular for Los Che, it was the 2018/19 season where the youngster made his real mark in the first team. He may have only netted three times in 37 appearances. However, it was his extraordinary performances, maturity and bravery that had fans quickly endearing to him.
Last summer also saw Torres net a brace in the final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championships against Portugal. He also scored his first Champions League goal in November 2019 against Lille in a 4-1 win – whilst becoming Valencia’s youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history.
What’s so good about Torres? Why is he so highly sought-after by Europe’s elite?
While the modern day interpretation of a winger is one who cuts inside and becomes one of most influential components in an attack, Ferran Torres is one of the few players making exceptional strides as a traditional winger, one who is well versed in causing havoc in getting to the byline, and providing for his fellow forwards.
Torres is a speed merchant, an incredibly agile and a tricky winger with bags of showboating skills, pieces of movement and is fast becoming a much more potent force in front of goal with his decision-making and use of the ball. 6 goals and 6 assists in all competitions so far this season has propelled him to stardom.
Averaging a direct goal contribution every 188 minutes, Ferran Torres has also impressively equated 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes in the domestic top-flight and averaging 1.9 key passes in the Champions League. With his blistering pace and mazy dribbling skills, the winger is averaging 2.2 dribbles per 90 minutes at a success rate of 56%.
In Valencia’s 2-1 defeat to Real Betis in November, it was Torres ever-impressive mazy run which led to Moi Gomez’ opening goal. The Spanish winger certainly wasn’t afraid to take on two of his markers at the same time. It’s skills such as that allows him to become a key component in the team.
That same month, the winger scored a fantastic solo goal against Granada at the Mestalla. Picking up the ball on the right hand side he then drove right through the heart of the Granada midfield and defence unchallenged before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed drive into the top right hand corner.
His expected goals and assists stats make for telling reading too. His XG reads at 3.2, and his XA reads at 3.9 which means he’s almost guaranteed to contribute to a goal in one way or another. Per 90 minutes, his expected goals reads at 0.16, while his expected assists is at 0.18. Readings such as those shows why he’s so highly sought after. When Torres is on song, defenders are in for a difficult day. He’s massively decisive in the final-third and combative when driving to the byline and put in crosses whether its a floated one or a drilled cross, Torres holds a unique variety in his wing-play.
Another reason why he’s thriving, is defensive contributions too. Playing as a natural right-winger means he can’t shy away from his defensive contributions in behind him. Valencia’s rigid, but fluid 4-4-2 shape means that the whole team must become effective both as an attacking force and a defensive force, as a cohesive unit. In La Liga, Torres is highly effective in the defensive sense, regularly dropping back to pick up his marker, more than likely the opposing full-back, and helping out his own full-back.
The Spanish under-21 international registers 0.8 tackles per game in La Liga, 1.3 in the Champions League. 0.4 interceptions domestically and 0.8 in Europe which means he’s more than capable of fulfilling his defensive duties too.
Valencia don’t have the most effective attack in La Liga, but when they do score, Ferran Torres is more likely to be involved.
The 2019/20 campaign has been a breakout one with Torres emerging as one of Valencia’s team leaders in what’s been a pretty difficult season of late for the club. The winger never shies away in the big outings too, he was both eye-catching and dangerous as Valencia beat Barcelona and drew with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in recent months.
Had Euro 2020 gone ahead this summer, he would probably have made the final 23 with a Spain squad lacking the kind of inventiveness and decisiveness that Torres possesses in the wide areas. If he can continue on his rapid development throughout the next year, whether at Valencia or a new club, Torres would be a certain bet for the Spanish squad once the Euros finally comes around in 2021.
Where should he head to next? Which club can successfully further his development?
Out of all the clubs currently keeping tabs on his exciting services, they all prove tasty next destinations for Ferran Torres. However, if he harbours any dreams or ambitions of becoming a Spain national team regular then he will need to head to a club which will certainly give him the freedom to expresss himself and a club in which could provide him the opportunity to grow at his own pace and with the room to make mistakes without much scrutiny.
Manchester City, according to various reports, are close to securing Torres’ signature this summer, and if Raheem Sterling’s growth and development under Pep Guardiola is anything to exemplify then Ferran Torres has potentially chosen the perfect destination to further his own horizon and progression.
With the departure of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich, a space has opened up for a winger to join Guardiola’s setup and Torres represents the perfect replacement and solution. With such wonderful world class talents beside him, Torres’ creative and goal output could increase considerably.
He is player a blessed in the art of not just creating chances but scoring them too. Playing with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Aguero can only heighten Torres’ threat and capabilities down the wings. He will also be playing Champions League football yet again next season, as well challenging for the Premier League title. Ferran Torres could potentially be in for a joy ride if his supposed move to Manchester City materialises.
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