HE’LL BE THE FERR-MINATOR
City’s goal drought can be solved says Pep: We bought in Torres as a winger but I think he can play as a striker... he is quick and an ‘incredible’ finisher
PEP GUARDIOLA has backed Ferran Torres to break Manchester City out of a creeping goal drought in what could be a pivotal week for hopes at home and abroad.
Rarely has a lack of goals been associated with the Catalan at any of the clubs he has managed, least of all City.
But for the first time during his time at the Etihad his side are struggling to put games to bed having failed to score more than once for a fourth successive league game.
In the continued absence of Sergio Aguero with a hamstring problem and, as seems likely, Gabriel Jesus, who is struggling with a quad issue, the 20-yearold winger will fill in.
And for all that Guardiola admits he has rather sprung the role on Torres since his summer move from Valencia, he has backed him to come through with flying colours.
“Ferran is a guy who is an incredible finisher,” said Guardiola after a solitary strike from defender Kyle Walker (right) proved enough to edge past Sheffield United.
“He has a sense of goal and the quality to score. When we signed
Ferran, we didn’t think about playing him as a striker.
“We wanted to play him as a winger. But he has the quality to score goals, in the one against one and with his pace. It’s true we have struggled a lot in the striker’s position. We’ve not had anyone for a long time. But he did really well.”
While Aguero remains out the noises about Jesus are a bit more promising, with the striker having returned to training.
But he may not be ready for the Champions League tomorrow night.
And while Guardiola is unlikely to have any sleepless nights about the visit of Olympiacos – those don’t kick in until the quarter- finals – Liverpool next Sunday will be a different ball game.
And in a match in which the City boss will be desperate not to concede further ground in what still might be his final season at the Etihad, one goal may not be enough.
“We would have loved to have scored a second or third goal but it wasn’t happening,” said Guardiola. “When it doesn’t
happen in the Premier League always you suffer until the end. But in general we were so good.”
City were good if a little unlucky in front of goal given they crafted eight shots on target. Yet for all that it might have been burglary, Sheffield United had chances to level, the best falling to midfielder John Lundstram after Sander Berge cut back from the right byline, only for the midfielder to fire over the bar. Chris Wilder’s side lacked quality, particularly in advanced positions, and remain without a win in seven Premier League games.
Rhian Brewster has yet to get up and running following his £23.5million move.
And perhaps more worryingly, the collective grit which saw the Blades reach the heady heights of ninth last season winning 10 out of their 19 home games, looks to have been misplaced.
The Blades, too, have failed to score more than one goal in 11 consecutive games since beating Chelsea 3-0 here in July.
Next up? An increasingly transformed and free-scoring Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.