Seven goals in just 325 minutes over six games, it’s an understatement to say that Ferran Torres’ debut was very successful at PSG. Top scorer for his team and decisive despite the status of a player who is not always a starter, he very quickly blended into the collective of Luis Enrique, the man who came to get him. “ For me, he’s like a football father, I already said it before signing for PSG. He is the first who gave me confidence in the selection when I was playing less, he is a coach who will succeed in exploiting my potential to the maximum », assured the player after his match in Marseille.
He has the trust of his coach and returns it on the field. Faced with the terrible offensive competition at PSG, it is difficult to predict who will come out on top in the months to come, when the important deadlines arise. Ferran Torres doesn’t waste time. The new recruit bought for €50 million from FC Barcelona in mid-August is experiencing something of an Indian summer. He is riding on his goal in the World Cup final which took him into another dimension in his country. He only became the 2nd Spaniard in history after Andrés Iniesta in 2010 to score in such a match. Obviously, its status changes.
A change of status since the World Cup final
The new world champion even carried out an American media tour after the final, his experience at Manchester City helping the English-speaking public. This is surprising, because in the past, Torres has regularly been the subject of criticism, notably at Barça for his clumsiness in front of goal. Last season had already marked a turning point. Little by little, he entered Hansi Flick’s eleven to take the place of the aging Robert Lewandowski. The striker finally experienced his best statistical exercise with 21 goals (plus 3 assists) in 49 matches in all competitions, before slamming the door in a somewhat cavalier manner.
He demanded a form of respect, while his contract was ending soon. This was the opportunity for him to force his departure, when PSG showed up. Obviously in Catalonia, we still have it a little in our throats about the way he left. “ I think he always had the feeling that he should be in the starting XI, that he had enough quality to be there, but it wasn’t always like that. (…) He had a difficult relationship with some of the supporters because some were critical of the opportunities he missed », replays Roger Saperas, journalist on the RAC1 near RMC.
Barça does not regret it
Ferran Torres is not missing at Barça either. The Blaugranas are having a great start to the season with Raphinha in a new number 9 position where he shines brightly (14 goals in 8 games). If in Catalonia, we are necessarily a little reserved about his fate, Luis De La Fuente, recently extended until 2032, intends to take advantage of the current form of his striker. “ He is one of the players with goals per match played statistics that he has rarely had in the history of the selection », Enthuses the coach to *L’Équipe. As at PSG, the question of hierarchy also arises in the national team where he is often a supersub.
Can he upset it in the weeks and months to come, he who has only had one start at the World Cup, a disappointing performance against Cape Verde in the inauguration? For the Nations League match this evening in England, he has been announced as a new substitute by the Spanish press. However, there are places to be taken, notably that of Mikel Oyarzabal at the forefront of the attack or Alex Baena on the left side of the attack. In these circumstances, its versatility is an asset. “ We will field the players we judge to be the most suitable for this match. Some players are in better or worse shape than two months ago », Specified the coach at a press conference on Friday. Ferran Torres is definitely one of the players in form at the moment.
