Who Is Ferran Torres? Juventus Target And Valencia Wing Wizard Dubbed ‘The New Marco Asensio’

Juventus have been linked with a swoop for highly-rated Valencia youngster Ferran Torres, who is expected to depart the Mestalla in the near future.

Torres, 20, has been linked with several European giants including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool. We give you the lowdown of all you need to know about one of Spain’s brightest young stars.

Background

Born in Foios, Valencia, Torres joined the club’s youth set-up as a six-year-old, progressing through the ranks, before featuring regularly for Valencia B.

On the international scene, the Spaniard was part of the Spain side who defeated England on penalties in the final at the UEFA European Under-17 Championships back in 2017.

Following his stellar performances for his nation, he netted twice whilst also provided two assists for his country as Spain were beaten in the same year at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup by England.

After the tournament, the 20-year-old made his first-team debut for Valencia in November 2017 as his side defeated Real Zaragoza 2-0 in the Copa del Rey. He later became the first player born in the 2000s to feature in La Liga in a 2-1 defeat to Eibar as a 17-year-old.

Now a regular for Los Che, it was the 2018-19 season where the youngster made his mark in the first-team. He may have only netted on three occasions in 37 appearances in all competitions during that campaign, but had fans calling his name due to his extraordinary performances.

Last summer saw Torres net a brace in the final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championships against Portugal. He also scored his first Champions League goal in November 2019 – whilst becoming Valencia’s youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history.

Where would he fit in at Juventus?

According to Goal, Juventus are expected to move on Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi as they seek a move for the Spaniard.

Being a versatile right-footed winger, with six goals and six assists in La Liga and the Champions League this season, he certainly would ease the burden on Juventus’ ageing frontline of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín, the latter who is also expected to depart.

Averaging a direct goal contribution every 188 minutes, Torres has also equated 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes in the domestic top-flight and averaged 1.9 in the Champions League. With his blistering pace, Torres completed 2.2 dribbles per 90 minutes at a success rate of 53.6%.

Higuaín continues to be linked with a move away from the Allianz Stadium, so Juve would use the money to help strike a deal for Torres. The youngster, who has a contract at Valencia until 2021, has a $107.9million buyout clause which is understood to not be a problem for the Old Lady.

What they’ve said…

Valencia academy director of recruitment José Giménez has previously heaped praise on the forward. 

“He’s powerful, quick, steady with the ball at his feet and strong in the air. He’s unpredictable”, Giménez stated.

“When he’s running with the ball at his feet he can go on inside or outside his man because he is two-footed. He can cross, finish and shoot. He’s got all he needs to reach the very top. Speed, ability, he’s the complete package technically” – Spain Under-19 coach Santiago Denia said.

“Ferran is a player that stands out. He plays the same way at youth level, for the reserves and for the first team. The players who keep enjoying it in the same way at every level are the players who end up succeeding in football.” – Diego Ribera, Valencia’s youngest debutant

Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague has also had his say on Torres in the past.

“He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He is combative, but what he has above all is the pace and directness in one-on-ones that modern footballers need”.

What he says …

In an interview before the youngster turned 20-years-old, Torres was quoted saying:

“It’s been a radical change getting into the first team, at the start you almost can’t believe it, but you need to take it in your stride – it’s your job.

“Every youth academy player dreams about getting into the first team and putting on the Valencia shirt – even more so in our centenary year.

“Everyday you learn something new, you’re surrounded by top players, with a coach who believes in you and that makes you learn a lot. I’m 19, I’ve got a lot of capacity to improve and there’s a lot I need to work on. I’m young and try to learn something new every day.

“I’m not putting limits on myself; I’m just trying to give my best. Having played in the top flight at 18 doesn’t mean much if I don’t prove my worth over several years.” 

There is no doubt he has the potential to be one of the best in Europe and with Juve potentially moving players on to make way for a younger strike force, then the opportunity for regular first-team and Champions league action may just sway the Spaniard to move to Turin.