Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Torres is up for the task of making history like his idol
FERRAN TORR TORRES is relishing the pros prospect of following in the footsteps foot of boyhood hero David Silva.
The £21million sign signing joined Manchester City from Valencia – as did Silva – and has inherited the iconic playmaker’s No.21 shirt. Silva left City C this summer after a decade of glittering succ success, with the Spaniard re recognised as one the greatest players i n the th club’s illustrious history. hist Torres, a lifelong Valencia fan, had posters of Silva Si on his bedroom wall and, as a boy, he would wait with frien friends to grab a picture and autogr autograph from him at the club’s training ground.
Despite having loo looked up to Silva from an early age, the 20-year-old Spain winger is undaunted by the challenge of trying to emulate em his idol’s success.
“It was a huge hug honour for me when the club told me I could choose ch the No.21 shirt – jus just for what it means here,” sa said Torres. “I’ll try to giv give my best and be a part par of the histor y of this t club.
Speaking about reaching what David Silva did in Manchester are very strong words, but obviously it’s an honour to inherit his number.
“I haven’t had the chance to speak with him, but he has always been a role model for me since I was a kid.
“When I arrived at Valencia, he was a key part of the first team, alongside David Villa and Juan Mata.
“He’s been a reference for me. I’ve not had the chance to speak to him, but I’ll try to follow his steps in this club.
“I d o h av e really good memories of watching him when I was young at La Mestalla.
“The team they had, with Villa and Mata as well, was excellent. They practically won everything.
“I also have a lot of memories about when we waited for the first-team players to come out from the training sessions.
“We would be waiting for that moment to ask them for pictures and autographs. I remember looking for David above the rest.
“But not just David – I had several pictures of all of that Valencia squad on my bedroom wall. It was a great team for a number of years and I like them for what they meant and for the great seasons they gave the club.” As well as Silva, Pep Guardiola lost another influential player this summer in winger Leroy Sane, who left for Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to £54m.
Torres, one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers, has been compared to Sane i n terms of his pace, ability to beat players and provide assists, as well as chip in with goals.
Although he acknowledged their similarities, Torres, who could make his City debut at Wolves on Monday, said: “He’s left-footed and I’m right-footed. Apart from that, we may share some similarities.
“He likes playing wide, going one against one, dribbling and helping the team with goals and assists. That’s the same as me.
“I like to run in behind the back of the defence, but I also can ask for the ball into my feet.
“I want to give the manager many options and be ready for any moment the team may need me.
“Pep is a boss who knows how to get the best from any player. That made me feel certain City was the right step in my career.
“Wi t h P e p as a manager, I can reach my full potential.”