New City hotshot Torres is setting his sights on silverware joy
FERRAN Torres hopes he can play a part in Manchester City’s future success after joining a club he believes are “one of the most attacking in the world”.
Manager Pep Guardiola’s summer restructuring has begun following the loss of their Premier League title to Liverpool with the 20-year-old Valencia winger his first signing, having already sold Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich and lost David Silva at the expiration of his contract.
City have also agreed a £41m fee for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake as Guardiola looks to strengthen areas in which they were found wanting this season.
Torres, who has signed a fiveyear contract after joining for an initial fee of £20.9m, is keen to start work with the former Barcelona boss.
“I am so happy to be joining City. Every player wants to be involved in attacking teams and Manchester City are one of the most attacking in world football,” said the rising talent.
“Pep encourages a really open, aggressive style, which I love, and he is a manager with a proven track record of improving players. To have him overseeing my development is a dream.
“City have won plenty of trophies in the last 10 years and I hope I can play a role in continuing that success.”
Torres, who in November became Valencia’s youngest player to make 50 La Liga appearances, has been a long-time target.
Director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “We have followed Ferran’s progress closely and have been very impressed.
“He is young and still developing, but his technical qualities are exactly what we are looking for in a winger. He is quick, direct, can create space with one movement and is capable of producing match-winning moments.
“I feel this is the perfect place for him to develop and take his game to the next level.”
Meanwhile, Pedro has undergone surgery on his shoulder and will not play for Chelsea again.
Before making his long-mooted move to Roma, the Spain winger confirmed on social media that his operation had been successful.
The 33-year-old landed awkwardly on his right shoulder when appearing as a substitute in the Blues’ 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
Pedro will now miss Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 second leg clash at Bayern Munich on Saturday, before he leaves Stamford Bridge.
“The surgery went well, I will be back soon,” Pedro posted on Instagram. “It was a pity not to win the FA Cup. Thank you for all your support.”
Pedro has spent five years at Chelsea having joined the Blues from Barcelona in 2015.
The reliable forward helped the Blues claim the 2017 Premier League title, the 2018 FA Cup and the 2019 Europa League.
New boss Frank Lampard is ushering in a new Stamford Bridge era, though, and Pedro is among those moving on.
The Chelsea manager took the time to pay tribute to Pedro following the Blues’ final Premier League game of the season, a 2-0 win over Wolves that sealed Champions League qualification.
“The lads have just pretty much serenaded Pedro in the changing room and rightly so because of the career he has had generally, and for this club,” said Lampard, after the Wolves victory. “It was his last Premier League game, but the impact he has had here is huge.
“I want to say a big thanks to Peds and wish him well. A big player of the club leaves and the spirit of the club I saw afterwards was pretty special.”