Pau Torres

[Drummond]

Wtf is football?

[Footy-Vill]

The kind of play to which we have grown accustomed sees the need for Pau who is comfortable in ball possession amd passing and excellent playing out from the back, a classy defender who is also a genuine threat at set pieces.

I imagine it's a merciless upgrade on Mings, whom I admire but who is still learning how to be a better technician.

I'm a big supporter of TM as a player and a person, but I'm curious why defenders from the Champions League were brought in this summer and last.
That is considered coaches want an improvement. It's also of course a squad game and Mings will be needed.
Mings saw off Carlos last season  and demonstrated his resilience and growth proving to play and defend generally at excellent level, but I believe Pau will be the first choice left centre back.
All the signs are there.

I just open the discussion on  where Mings stands in being in the team or will both  left footed centre backs play? With one out of their favoured and natural position.

[john e]

Wtf is football?

It’s a ball
And Uni has written his name on it so no one pinches it

[dave shelley]

What if we scour the world to sign a winger called Ernie to play across from him?

I wonder what Ernie Hunt is doing these days?

[Beard82]

Wtf is football?

It’s a ball
And Uni has written his name on it so no one pinches it

Surely its a round version of an Emery Board for filing your nails?

[Brazilian Villain]

Wtf is football?

It’s a ball
And Uni has written his name on it so no one pinches it

You learn something new every day.

[Mister E]

A fantastic transfer , but where does this leave Mings?
Pau Torres is the epitome of football.
Of course, it's a squad game, but Torres is a better footballer than Mings, so Torres must be first choice.

It really isn't that binary. We've already learned that Emery will play the player suited to each game. He also likes playing the lopsided back four, where it becomes a 3 when we are in possession. We'll see a mix of players used right across the team (perhaps other than your other bete noire, Emi M).

[john e]

A fantastic transfer , but where does this leave Mings?
Pau Torres is the epitome of football.
Of course, it's a squad game, but Torres is a better footballer than Mings, so Torres must be first choice.

It really isn't that binary. We've already learned that Emery will play the player suited to each game. He also likes playing the lopsided back four, where it becomes a 3 when we are in possession. We'll see a mix of players used right across the team (perhaps other than your other bete noire, Emi M).

I know the need for a strong squad and options in all positions to cover injuries etc

But I don’t agree that he will be swapping and changing very often, I think as the season goes on he will settle on what he feels is his best pairing and play it in the games when they are both fit
I think that will be the case in league games anyway

[Risso]

I think he'll mostly play Mings and Torres together, if everybody is fit.

[Toronto Villa]

Isn’t Torres a left sided CB? I actually think it will be Carlos and Torres long term

[Risso]

Isn’t Torres a left sided CB? I actually think it will be Carlos and Torres long term

Can't see that at all, neither of them are known for their aerial prowess and it's still an important part of English football.

[Footy-Vill]

Isn’t Torres a left sided CB? I actually think it will be Carlos and Torres long term

Can't see that at all, neither of them are known for their aerial prowess and it's still an important part of English football.

I think he'll mostly play Mings and Torres together, if everybody is fit.

Pau Torres' is a wonderful first choice asset with great his ability to play the ball. He is a left-footed player who played  left centre defence for Emery at Vila Real. He speaks Emerys language both in tounge and football.
I have to say, as it doesn't seem to be pointed out, that he's an upgrade over Mings, and I will add because I don't see Emery playing two left-footed centre backs in a four-man defence.
Due to the fee and the difference in abilities. If not an upgrade a player who is more suited and comfortable with experience in Emerys defence.
Not to say Mings won't have his uses.

Pau Torres is now the best defender we have  and someone who knows how to play for Emery. Pau initiates attacks and theres isnt a better centre back that we have in possesion and who carries the ball. He can already play Emery's way and does what Tyrone Mings has been attempting to do and has been instructed to do by Emery.

Villa have invested in him and he Villa to be maybe even the future captain of the team. There's no way he isn't starting majority of matches.

[PaulWinch again]

I think worrying about “first choice” or not is just going to needlessly expend a lot of energy. We need a strong squad and if we achieve our aims we’ll be playing a lot of games. There’s going to be plenty of game time to go around.

[Footy-Vill]

So I can see how it's confusing for some, as it's now time to think that Mings has now been put in as an important squad player but not as a first choice, as for all I can see, the signs are that Pau will be the defensive leader.

[Footy-Vill]

I think worrying about “first choice” or not is just going to needlessly expend a lot of energy. We need a strong squad and if we achieve our aims we’ll be playing a lot of games. There’s going to be plenty of game time to go around.

Yes agree and shared this as well regards game time just on the discussion to Mings role within the squad and the unlikely scenario of having two left footed centre backs in a four man defence.