Pau Torres

[Rory]

If he stays fit i reckon he’ll get player of the season in his first campaign
Which would be a big achievement as there will be lots of other outstanding candidates

Pau, Leon & Ollie are probably the 3 front runners.
Ezri and Boubaca would have been in there, too, but their injuries have kissed their chances goodbye.

For me, at the moment, it’s Ollie.

There are indeed a few contenders, which is great, but I agree on Ollie.

Assuming current rates continue (which is a *big* assumption, of course) Ollie will get around 18/20 league goals and, depending on our progress in Europe, would be approaching 30 overall, without runs in either domestic cup (as per usual).

Continuing as he is, he'll be a better-than 1-in-2 striker this season, which Yorke and Benteke each managed once, and that's ignoring assists.

I can't see that going overlooked, myself.

Mods, please feel free to move this to the Watkins thread if you see fit.

[Toronto Villa]

Pau’s supposed lack of physicality is a lot like Paul McGrath’s lack of pace. When you’re that smart a footballer you make up for it with physical positioning and body positioning. He usually a mental step or two ahead of the player he’s up against. The best players just have a way of being better in a profession where they are all really excellent athletes.

[pauliewalnuts]

Pau’s supposed lack of physicality is a lot like Paul McGrath’s lack of pace. When you’re that smart a footballer you make up for it with physical positioning and body positioning. He usually a mental step or two ahead of the player he’s up against. The best players just have a way of being better in a profession where they are all really excellent athletes.

Rodri gave an interview a month or two ago, to a Spanish paper, in which he said he'd put on 10 kg since moving to England, as he had to strengthen to adapt to the game, and went on to say that Pau Torres is doing exactly the same.

[eamonn]

They good pals then, Rodri and Pau? He'd better not dare tap him up.

[Chris Smith]

Pau’s supposed lack of physicality is a lot like Paul McGrath’s lack of pace. When you’re that smart a footballer you make up for it with physical positioning and body positioning. He usually a mental step or two ahead of the player he’s up against. The best players just have a way of being better in a profession where they are all really excellent athletes.

Rodri gave an interview a month or two ago, to a Spanish paper, in which he said he'd put on 10 kg since moving to England, as he had to strengthen to adapt to the game, and went on to say that Pau Torres is doing exactly the same.

In his first few games he got muscled off the ball a few times but he’s clearly worked on it and I reckon it’s a combination of bulking as you mention up but also learning how to deal with those type of players.

I always think that the best players improve those around them and he clearly has that impact both on the way we defend but also in how we build from the back.

[lovejoy]

When our centre backs all come back fit do you think he could do a John Stones and move up into mdifield?

[Dave]

When our centre backs all come back fit do you think he could do a John Stones and move up into mdifield?

Probably, but he's probably better off just being our best centre-back.

[VILLA MOLE]

When our centre backs all come back fit do you think he could do a John Stones and move up into mdifield?

no only Pep knows how to do that , how dare you !

[Risso]

When our centre backs all come back fit do you think he could do a John Stones and move up into mdifield?

Probably, but he's probably better off just being our best centre-back.

He does the two roles in one game anyway.

[OCD]

Pau’s supposed lack of physicality is a lot like Paul McGrath’s lack of pace. When you’re that smart a footballer you make up for it with physical positioning and body positioning. He usually a mental step or two ahead of the player he’s up against. The best players just have a way of being better in a profession where they are all really excellent athletes.

Rodri gave an interview a month or two ago, to a Spanish paper, in which he said he'd put on 10 kg since moving to England, as he had to strengthen to adapt to the game, and went on to say that Pau Torres is doing exactly the same.

I vaguely remember reading a while back about him looking to put on some lean muscle mass. But with playing all the football he was, which I think included the Olympics, he had lost some weight.

[SamTheMouse]

They good pals then, Rodri and Pau? He'd better not dare tap him up.

Ooh I hope he does.

I'd love to see Rodri sign for us.

[Hookeysmith]

How long before he is linked with a move to a "big.......zzzzzzzzzzzzzz" club like Red fucking filth or even laughably Sperms

P lop could be a threat as he is very much like a modern day Hansen they way he strides forward with the ball and i am sure Van Dijk will cry off once Bingo leaves

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Saw this today..

Since promotion back to the Premier League, only on three occasions has an Aston Villa player carried the ball 400 yards or more up the pitch during a single game in the competition.
Once was Jack Grealish in 2019, the other two are Pau Torres.

[Somniloquism]

Very long pitch.....

[paul_e]

Saw this today..

Since promotion back to the Premier League, only on three occasions has an Aston Villa player carried the ball 400 yards or more up the pitch during a single game in the competition.
Once was Jack Grealish in 2019, the other two are Pau Torres.

The best bit of this is that he's so comfortable on the ball that you don't even really notice just how often he carries it forward, it doesn't feel as special as it should for him to have those numbers because once you've seen him play a few times it's impossble to imagine him not doing it.