It actually was not so long ago that a very young Valencia fan, Ferran Torres, hung around the gates of Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna waiting for David Silva. An autograph, a picture, anything to add to his bedroom shrine to the club in the quaint little town of Foios.
Now he is a Manchester City player - and one who owns Silva's iconic No 21 shirt. There are still occasional reminders that romance does sometimes exist within football.
Torres did not have to ask for Silva's property this time as the pair headed in opposite directions, Silva back to Spain with Real Sociedad, Torres to the North West for an initial £21million from the Mestalla. City offered him the opportunity to take over his childhood hero's shirt and the answer was swift.
'It is a huge honour to inherit his number, just for what it means here,' Torres said. 'I have really good memories of watching him. I remember looking for David Silva above the rest after training sessions. I will try to give my best to be part of the history of this club. I will try to follow David's steps.'
The electric right winger is not short on confidence then. Pep Guardiola will hope his attitude, a fearlessness of what lies ahead, translates into giving City the sort of explosive counter-attacking edge they lacked last season.
Torres is ready to go, fresh from a Spain debut and first international goal on the back of a pre-season boot camp in Portugal with personal trainer, Alberto Pardo. He arrived in England on Monday, opting to live alone to begin with, concentrated on mastering the language and exploring the city. Sister Arantxa, six years his senior and closest confidante, is a FaceTime away.
'I think this is the best place I could be,' Torres said. 'When I spoke to Pep he told me to come to Manchester, that my arrival would be important for the team and that he envisioned the club as a great place for me. From that point, to be honest, I was absolutely convinced to come. With Pep I can reach my full potential.'
Torres should excite supporters, the sort of flamboyant forward who will get bums off seats once crowds return. A nutmeg enthusiast, a mesmeric dribbler. Someone who loiters in space and waits for that precise moment to motor. The sort of characteristics that shone in Leroy Sane when he came here at exactly the same age, 20.
Torres can play right, left or even as a false nine and wants to present versatility to a team that will play every three days in this truncated season.
Privately, his target is double figures in both goals and assists during his first campaign in England and there are familiar faces to help him settle. Eric Garcia has come through the Spain ranks, Rodri is now an international team-mate too.
Torres admires fellow Golden Boy nominee Phil Foden, also 20, after competing against him over the years. He has told friends of relish at the prospect of them becoming mainstays together. While that is for the future, he understands the present obstacles of earning a place.
'City is one of the best clubs in the world and being here is always a challenge,' he said. 'Every window, if the situation is not good in one position, the club can find someone in the market. It's a challenge for me to play at a high level and for the rest of the team too, so that they do not look for a replacement.
'My first impression (of the squad in training) was to look up to them and be aware that I have to learn. In the pitch they are going to make you a better player, but from my side I know I also have to do my job and rival them.'
detalmz
0
🔥🔥⚡⚡⚡
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Good lineup but we definitely need Ederson, not muric
Nokdeky
0
l'm going to be manager of dis🔥🔥🔥 which team can stop me⚡⚡
[image]
any team can .. 😂
b_RAD
1
did your dad disappeared?... coz it looks like it and you're talking the same way here
Now disappear back into your hole you peasant 👋
b_RAD
1
did your dad disappeared?... coz it looks like it and you're talking the same way here
Must be hard for you to accept your parents are really brother and sister and your the accident that came about from their good times [Crylaugh]
b_RAD
1
did your dad disappeared?... coz it looks like it and you're talking the same way here
Sorry I can’t understand you, go practice English before you try to insult people [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
unknown6007
0
Anyway, like your name says, you’re unknown and not worth knowing so why don’t you crawl back into your hole and disappear like the nobody that you are 💩[Crylaugh]
did your dad disappeared?... coz it looks like it and you're talking the same way here
b_RAD
1
about foden...after lockdown he played nearly all games....and after Silva left he'll be getting more game time
Anyway, like your name says, you’re unknown and not worth knowing so why don’t you crawl back into your hole and disappear like the nobody that you are 💩[Crylaugh]
unknown6007
0
Keep dreaming princess, Foden will leave just like the rest of them cause manshitty destroys youth talent 💩
k
b_RAD
1
about foden...after lockdown he played nearly all games....and after Silva left he'll be getting more game time
Keep dreaming princess, Foden will leave just like the rest of them cause manshitty destroys youth talent 💩
b_RAD
1
the reason is I talk less bullshit than you
No it’s simply because everything that comes out of your mouth is trash 🗑
b_RAD
1
haha you know much but you don't know that sane was injured for nearly the complete season last year
I know he was injured you ranked but the disputes about his playing time started before that 🤡 The injury just gave him a chance to consider his options and he made the right choice and moved to a bigger club where he can actually have a chance at winning the Champions league [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
unknown6007
0
So the season Sane sat on the bench because he was upset he wasn’t starting just doesn’t exist in your books??? Haha and you call me stupid [Crylaugh]
You think Foden is going to sit on the bench as well for another season and only play in cup games?? Garcia, Roberts and Nmecha are all fed up too and ready to leave..
How embarrassing that I know more about football and your club than you do [Crylaugh]
about foden...after lockdown he played nearly all games....and after Silva left he'll be getting more game time
unknown6007
0
There’s a reason why you been on this app longer than me and NO ONE likes you or what you have to say [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] You casual “fans” and your less than intelligent football opinions really make me laugh [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
the reason is I talk less bullshit than you
unknown6007
0
So the season Sane sat on the bench because he was upset he wasn’t starting just doesn’t exist in your books??? Haha and you call me stupid [Crylaugh]
You think Foden is going to sit on the bench as well for another season and only play in cup games?? Garcia, Roberts and Nmecha are all fed up too and ready to leave..
How embarrassing that I know more about football and your club than you do [Crylaugh]
haha you know much but you don't know that sane was injured for nearly the complete season last year
b_RAD
1
no one is as stupid as you to realise when sane arrived at city he was a talented player....and now he's a world class..and Foden he's talented and currently is in city's squad not out for loan......and about sancho......yeah we let one talent go away
There’s a reason why you been on this app longer than me and NO ONE likes you or what you have to say [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] You casual “fans” and your less than intelligent football opinions really make me laugh [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
b_RAD
1
no one is as stupid as you to realise when sane arrived at city he was a talented player....and now he's a world class..and Foden he's talented and currently is in city's squad not out for loan......and about sancho......yeah we let one talent go away
So the season Sane sat on the bench because he was upset he wasn’t starting just doesn’t exist in your books??? Haha and you call me stupid [Crylaugh]
You think Foden is going to sit on the bench as well for another season and only play in cup games?? Garcia, Roberts and Nmecha are all fed up too and ready to leave..
How embarrassing that I know more about football and your club than you do [Crylaugh]
unknown6007
0
Sancho, Sane, Douglas, Diaz, Foden and Garcia are all youth talent your club has ruined.. You’re clearly just to stupid to realize it [Crylaugh]
no one is as stupid as you to realise when sane arrived at city he was a talented player....and now he's a world class..and Foden he's talented and currently is in city's squad not out for loan......and about sancho......yeah we let one talent go away
b_RAD
1
aww cry louder because sane became a star and city so will Torres .Sane won more prems than your manager and whole squad. 🤣🤣🤣
Won them sitting on the bench 🤣 at least he’s gone to a big club now... He might even win a champions league unlike you wannabe wankers [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
b_RAD
1
the biggest clown are you just spreading rumours and getting none[ko] [Crylaugh]
Sancho, Sane, Douglas, Diaz, Foden and Garcia are all youth talent your club has ruined.. You’re clearly just to stupid to realize it [Crylaugh]
Cityzen18
1
best of luck ferran hope you replace sane well .
Fomceknort
1
l'm going to be manager of dis🔥🔥🔥 which team can stop me⚡⚡
Fomceknort
2
🔥🔥⚡⚡⚡
vuzckty
1
He’ll follow in the footsteps of Sane and Sancho and leave for first team football.. It’s a known fact that Manshitty destroys youth talent 💩
aww cry louder because sane became a star and city so will Torres .Sane won more prems than your manager and whole squad. 🤣🤣🤣
Shacool
1
Feel free and shine in the blue Manchester 🔥🔥🙌
868tribunals
0
lol he's a gatekeeper
no he isn't a goalkeeper
868tribunals
0
no bro he is agoalkeeper
no he is not
PandeStephen
1
Good luck and lot of hope on you
unknown6007
2
Ok clown 🤡
the biggest clown are you just spreading rumours and getting none[ko] [Crylaugh]
b_RAD
1
city didn't destroy sane....they made him the superstar he's now
Ok clown 🤡
giddyboi
1
once you believe in yourself there's nothing to fear by holding your tongue back
great people talk less... they only allow their actions to speak for them
unknown6007
4
He’ll follow in the footsteps of Sane and Sancho and leave for first team football.. It’s a known fact that Manshitty destroys youth talent 💩
city didn't destroy sane....they made him the superstar he's now
Keeacikyz
1
Pep should give chance to P. Robert
hahabinotu
2
wish you all the best
fimboprsty
0
Torres will become the new David Silva
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lol he's a gatekeeper
fimboprsty
0
manure fan talking
fapio_cityzen21
0
Bros Torres is a defender
no bro he is agoalkeeper
b_RAD
2
He’ll follow in the footsteps of Sane and Sancho and leave for first team football.. It’s a known fact that Manshitty destroys youth talent 💩
MickyAista
6
best of luck
sonofcj
0
many times I confused his name with Fernando Torres who else?!..
you will make it here buddy,you're in the right size of shoes,you and Foden..God bless Manchester City..!!
habimanathierry
4
all the best for you Ferran
stepperwolf
0
only you [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
you serious!.
Pacptuz
0
many times I confused his name with Fernando Torres who else?!..
only you [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
BIBEKKOIRALA
3
good
Stamf0rdBridgeXD
1
He does have the potential to though. What do City fans think, I am a blue soooo...
Mel7
1
I wish you the best bro but you learn to talk less 🙏
once you believe in yourself there's nothing to fear by holding your tongue back
868tribunals
0
He’s a RW
ok
868tribunals
0
What are you smoking
yes he is
868tribunals
0
Bros Torres is a defender
you mad
Manchester❄DNA
4
Man City fans : "Sign a new Defender" Man City Twitter acc:" One these day we beat Salzburg in UCL" Man City fans be like: 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Kene1000
1
Bros Torres is a defender
He’s a RW