#21 | Ferran Torres - 2020/21 Performances

[blueparrot]

People think a false 9 means playing with a player that isn't a striker, but the false 9 is more of a role. Messi used to be a false 9 when he'd take up space more in the midfield instead of between the opposition CB's trying to suck them out of position for Villa or Pedro to run into. Torres or Jesus have some attributes of doing this sometimes during build up play, but are mainly normal #9's.

Always said, a false 9 is a specialist position requiring specialist skills, Messi the perfect example, it isn’t another player played out of position.

 

[@BluePhil8]

Not even seen 50% of his ability yet.

Going to be a bit of a bargain for us.

A bit, we’ve done Valencia twice with Silva and Torres. I feel for their fans.

 

[bobom]

He looks a class player. Still with lots to learn, but some great attributes.

 

[RobMCFC]

Considering we bought him as a winger, I thought that was a great performance yesterday. Led the line well and got in good positions. He was unlucky not to score.

Really good article on him here. Sounds like he's not afraid to speak his mind.

'He was daring, brave': the story behind Ferran Torres's rapid rise

Manchester City forward with an ‘I refuse to sink’ tattoo was fast-tracked but not always memorable to teammates

www.theguardian.com

 

[DATOIA]

The main idea of "False 9" is that he helps team to possess the ball. Messi was doing that by helping Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets to create extra spaces in the midfield and control the ball..

So it's same for Manchester City. What Gabriel Jesus does - is that - he always helps midfielders to create that extra space and in small period of time receive the ball and return it back or pass to another teammate. That maybe is simple but when you play against huge defenders and you are always covered by 2-3 players - you need amazing ball controlling skills, first touch, physical abilities to win those battles, retain the ball and return it back.

That's why Gabriel Jesus is so valuable for ManCity. But what I have seen so far against Marseille and yesterday - Ferran Torres is able to do that as well. He is winning those physical battles, has good first touch, is able to dribble and control the ball in difficult situation.. That's what makes him our main False 9 after Gabriel Jesus..

Pep tried Foden there - but Phil wasn't able to win those physical battles.
Sterling is great in terms of physicality but his first touch isn't good
Aguero can't even be risked to play that role because he is always one bad tackle away from being injured..

So that's why Pep has been using Ferran during the last two games on that position.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

I dont think he was quite as in the groove yesterday and might have been overthinking one or two things a bit. Its probably a case of now having to get his head round peps complex methods, which is something we've seen before with other players (e.g. Sane). We'll have a better player in the long run but I expect it may take him time to learn/settle properly

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Ferran has great movement and receives the ball in scoring opportunities frequently. Yesterday, playing our 9, he nearly scored on multiple occasions. Unlucky, IMO, that he didn't bag a brace.

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

movement is excellent, not quite there on instinctive decision-making with chances but hopefully that'll improve. Looks promising though.

 

[vintiz]

Yeah, that's not really what I was alluding to in terms of mentality for the player. More about the inner drive/competitiveness to develop his game each year, the very top players challenge themselves to keep growing. This, I have to say I do not know much about in terms of the player - that's why I always dislike the rush to term a player world class. Those players, have a different mindset - they sit/eat at a different table than others

Shove it

 

[SebastianBlue]

Not even seen 50% of his ability yet.

Going to be a bit of a bargain for us.

Not even 35%. ;-)