14 Apr 2022 19:10:46
Ed, I hope all is well with you. Are we currently showing any i terest in Pau Torres from Villareal? I think he could be a very good partner for Varane.

{Ed002's Note - Pau Torres (CB) Villareal are struggling financially and will sell this summer at the right price. Manchester City have him as an option and now he will likely be first choice. Manchester United had him as first choice, purchased Varane instead but are now chasing again with departures imminent. Barcelona has a sustained interest but price will likely be an issue and they may look to horse trade some players - but priorities will be elsewhere. Napoli saw Torres as a Kalidou Koulibaly replacement but they are an unlikely destination now. Bayern Munich have him as a potential target if other plans fail. Real Madrid wanted Torres to replace Ramos but do not want to get in to an auction. Was offered to Chelsea last summer by a third party knowing Kounde was unlikely - but he would be down the list for them. Spurs offer a less likely option but were interested under Mr Mourinho.}

1.) 14 Apr 2022
14 Apr 2022 21:29:20
Thanks ed I hope we go and get him.

2.) 14 Apr 2022
14 Apr 2022 21:43:18
ED002,

Are the club looking to sell Maguire?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

3.) 14 Apr 2022
14 Apr 2022 22:17:25
Thanks ED002,

That is a shame.

{Ed002's Note - The only change seems to be Rangnick staying available to provide advice.}

4.) 14 Apr 2022
14 Apr 2022 22:18:01
Agreed Singh, could be a good partner for Varane, have heard talk of using Bailly as part exchange, although unlike many I would keep Bailly and give him a season's tutelage under a good coach (ETH) I know of the fitness issues but think there is a top defender to be coaxed out there.
If not Torres think Jules Kounde a top prospect. My view is that centre back is THE most position to sort. Does not matter how many shiny new toys up front if you are not right at centre back you will never be winning leagues.

5.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 04:53:42
Why do people keep saying partner for Varane. The only partner for Varane is Phil Jones as they both occupy the treatment table. Varane has been a big disappointment.

6.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 07:11:11
UA, because Varane when fit has easily been our best CB. Not much of an accolade given the competition yet any signing we make will surely be paired with our best CB.

7.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 07:20:53
I have to agree with you there UA, Varane is a class act but too injury prone. Madrid knew that and sold him on. We currently have Jones, Bailly and Varane who can’t be counted on, leaving Maguire and Lindelof. Our CB situation is no better than last summer. A new solid CB is a must this window.

8.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 15:03:17
Pau Torres looks a good player in La Liga, but I think he'd struggle in the more physically demanding EPL.

He's always looked a little easily brushed off the ball, and wasn't a player for getting stuck in. Great with the ball at his feet though.

Just had a look at his FBref report to see what the stats say, and they are pretty appalling.

He is in the bottom 9th percentile for pressing, 7th for tackles, 12th for blocks, 19th for aerials, 21st for interceptions, and 24th for clearances for centre backs in Europe's top five leagues.

For those that don't quite understand this you effectively have to flip the numbers. So when he's in the bottom 7th percentile for tackles what that means is 93% of the centre backs in Europe's top five leagues are making more tackles than him. 81% of CB's are better at pressing, 88% are better with blocks, 81% are better with aerial challenges, 79% are better for interceptions, and 76% are better with clearances.

Those are truly appalling numbers for defensive statistics, and personally make me think he would really struggle with the high intensity defending the EPL demands.

9.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 17:04:48
Sorry Shappy but that’s an extremely wrong use of defensive statistics for CBs. Pau Torres plays as a cover CB. For a good example, go check Virgil Van Dijk. He’s in the 1 percentile for pressures tackles and blocks. 14% for interceptions.

Cover CBs always have lower stats. You can see the same on Ruben Dias.

10.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 18:34:32
Chris, if he is the cover centre back then why is he in the 24th percentile for clearances while his partner Albiol is in the 71st percentile suggesting that it is the elder Albiol who is covering and making clearances.

He's also in the 12th percentile for blocks again suggesting he isn't covering that much.

To further this Torres is in the 90th percentile for progressive carries and 99th for dribbles completed. This would suggest that he is far more likely to be the centre back marauding up the pitch and carrying through the press with his defensive partner doing the covering.

Plus the fact that do you really think the 36 year old Albiol will be the guy throwing himself about and charging over the pitch while the 25 year old Torres does the covering?

While his interceptions 21st percentile and his aerials won (19th percentile) are shockingly bad.

If he can't win his headers in La Liga it know when to step out and intercept the ball, then he will seriously struggle with that in the EPL.

11.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 18:55:08
Absolutely Chris starts like this without context are pointless.
His team won the europa league last year. They are in the cl semi this year. He is doing right.

I've no idea I've only seen him play a few times. He has been extensively scouted coveted by many. So lots of people that know what they are talking about rate him highly.
Never a sure thing in any transfer no matter who the player is as there are so many factors that contribute to a players sustained good form.
Like like a good string athletic defender comfortable in the ball to me. How much we are interested is something i'm sceltical about.

12.) 15 Apr 2022
15 Apr 2022 19:49:29
New record for spellers in that one.

13.) 16 Apr 2022
16 Apr 2022 09:34:29
Advice to whom specifically Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Anyone at the club on the footballing side who needs it.}

14.) 16 Apr 2022
16 Apr 2022 14:05:44
Wow shappy another complete u turn from you. A post from window when you were speaking about pau torres
'Both of them look to be 2 of the best up and coming cbs.
Both have heart attributes and they will both hope to make a big impact wherever they go.
City are also in for torres maybe madrid too so maybe rojo or bailly would consider a move plus a fee to help them replace torres'
since then he is part of a team that one the el and are in cl semi with tiny resources. In that thread you were saying we should sign him now your saying we shouldn't.
Which is it?
H
Is he ropey like you suggest in your data.
Or is he one of the best up and coming cbs as you suggest?
You seem to be saying we should and shouldn't sign him?

15.) 16 Apr 2022
16 Apr 2022 17:24:06
lol Ken :)

16.) 17 Apr 2022
17 Apr 2022 00:21:31
Poor old Torres. From forum favourite to another pile of rotten percentages and statistics within one transfer window.

17.) 17 Apr 2022
17 Apr 2022 10:22:58
It's OK next week shsppy will say he would be a good signing then in May maybe not but in June he will be man we need and in July he will be over rated but in August he will be great again.