Some of the greatest players do indeed only come around once every four years but that is quite literally the case for Valencia’s Ferran Torres.
Born 29 February, therefore celebrating his true birthday every leap year, the Valencian native broke into the senior team in the second half of the 2017/18 season and has set about impressing head coach Marcelino with the intention of becoming a first-team regular.
Joining the youth setup aged six, Torres was identified as one of the clubs most promising homegrown talents.
His development led him to a debut with Valencia’s second string at just 16 years of age.
A right-sided winger, Torres began to make the position his own.
His first goal for the second-string team came in matchday two against Girona’s B side Peralada.
His fantastic start to the season was interrupted by the Under-17 European Championships.
Torres was an integral cog in the Spanish machine that went on to win the competition. After eliminating Germany and France in the knock-out phases, Spain beat England on penalties in the final.
Torres returned to Valencia simply oozing confidence, and after just four games with the second-string side, Torres was called up to be a part of Valencia’s senior squad.
Still just 17 years old, Torres was awarded his first start on 28 February 2018 after a few substitute appearances.
The faith in Torres was rewarded, and he provided the assist for Valencia’s sole goal of the 1-1 draw away at Athletic.
Despite Torres taking his chance he would only start one more game amongst a plethora of substitute appearances, but this would lay the foundation for the Spaniard to emerge as the bright spark of Valencia’s following season.
It is fair to say that Valencia have been an inconsistent side over the last few seasons.
They have failed to establish an effective style of play after the departure of Unai Emery back in 2012.
Emerys four-year stay was succeeded by a variety of managers, who never lasted more than one full season until the appointment of Marcelino in 2017.
Since then, Marcelino has implemented a clear style.
Our own David Selini’s fantastic piece detailing his style describes the compact defending and quick counter-attacking methods being imbued into this Valencia squad.
For this, it is important for players like Torres, who plays on the right of midfield, to move with his fellow midfielders in unison to close the opposition when not in possession.
Alternatively, Torres utilises his fantastic movement and positioning when Valencia are given the opportunity to hit the opposition on the break.
On the defensive, one of the forwards drops back into the midfield to create a midfield five.
Torres, wide left on this occasion, knows that forcing the opposition player into the compacted system is his job.
