Pau Torres

[pablo_picasso]

I don't think Southgate was a massively physical player? Good on the deck, good timing, good organisation and quick enough when needed but not big by normal CB standards. He was the best i've seen at the Villa other than McGrath. The Italian world cup winning captain Cannavaro also springs to mind, he was masterful in that WC but again not huge by any stretch.

He was 5'9".

I think that Argentinian at Utd is about the same height too.

Might even be 5'8"

Sometimes defending is about brute force, but other times it can be finessed with intelligence.

[Monty]

Cannavaro could also leap and lean better than anyone, the two great height-negating skills for a defender.

[OCD]

Torres is 6'3" so his height isn't a problem. One of the luxuries of building a competitive squad is that we don't have to rush anyone into the side. We could easily see Mings being the first choice at the start of the season and gradually bring Torres in as he adjusts to the differences in English football.

[Clark W Griswold]

Torres is 6'3" so his height isn't a problem. One of the luxuries of building a competitive squad is that we don't have to rush anyone into the side. We could easily see Mings being the first choice at the start of the season and gradually bring Torres in as he adjusts to the differences in English football.

And different opponents have different strengths, you wouldn’t play someone a bit lightweight against Wimbledon 88 and you wouldn’t play someone who’s not too nimble and surefooted against Barcelona 2011.

[OCD]

Absolutely. Newcastle away is an interesting fixture as they've got a good high press, especially at home. Emery recognised that and we bypassed it by having Martinez play the ball over to Ramsey and McGinn. Newcastle expected us to play it out from the back and didn't really ever get to grips with what we were doing.

So as a first fixture that will be interesting to see whether we look to do the same or whether we look to play it out from the back but with defenders more comfortable dealing with an effective high press.

[Hookeysmith]

Torres is 6'3" so his height isn't a problem. One of the luxuries of building a competitive squad is that we don't have to rush anyone into the side. We could easily see Mings being the first choice at the start of the season and gradually bring Torres in as he adjusts to the differences in English football.

No matter how good Torres (by reputation) is - the shirts are Mings and Konsa's to lose as their form in the final 3rd of the season was just incredible. Pau will have to climatise to the rigors of the premiership as it is way more demanding that what he is used to with physicality and time on the ball i would imagine

[Percy McCarthy]

He was right footed but he played on the left of a back 2.

I know. That was my point.

[Drummond]

Torres is 6'3" so his height isn't a problem. One of the luxuries of building a competitive squad is that we don't have to rush anyone into the side. We could easily see Mings being the first choice at the start of the season and gradually bring Torres in as he adjusts to the differences in English football.

No matter how good Torres (by reputation) is - the shirts are Mings and Konsa's to lose as their form in the final 3rd of the season was just incredible. Pau will have to climatise to the rigors of the premiership as it is way more demanding that what he is used to with physicality and time on the ball i would imagine

It's a new season. Pre-season matches and training will determine who plays against Newcastle. Emery will have a plan and with Torres he may feel more comfortable to play out from the back again.

[AV84]

Apparently he was on honeymoon in "Africa", so time to start tracking those private planes to Birmingham from the entire continent of Africa!

[Drummond]

Apparently he was on honeymoon in "Africa", so time to start tracking those private planes to Birmingham from the entire continent of Africa!

Unless you believe the bloke on Twitter who reckons he's already been, failed his medical and left again at lunchtime.

Otherwise, yes, I reckon tomorrow evening or Friday morning.

[Clark W Griswold]

Blues fan?

[Brazilian Villain]

Apparently he was on honeymoon in "Africa", so time to start tracking those private planes to Birmingham from the entire continent of Africa!

Weren't McGinn and a few other players on their hols with Marvelous in Zimaabwe? Pau might have popped by to visit them seeing he was in the area.

[UK Redsox]

Apparently he was on honeymoon in "Africa", so time to start tracking those private planes to Birmingham from the entire continent of Africa!

I hear the drums echoing tonight
But he hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
He's coming in, 12:30 flight

[VILLA MOLE]

Apparently he was on honeymoon in "Africa", so time to start tracking those private planes to Birmingham from the entire continent of Africa!

I hear the drums echoing tonight
But he hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
He's coming in, 12:30 flight

Gonna take alot to get him here in Claret and Blue !!
but not more than Emrey could ever do 

[JJ-AV]

I don't see Mings dropping out the side, I think he'll look to replace Digne (as he lacks the mobility of Moreno) and it'll be a left wing back with a back 3 when we're attacking. Mings central, Torres left and Konsa/Carlos right. I think he'll want Torres' passing down the left with Moreno/Tielemans/Ramsey going down that side.