By Graham Ruthven
In just 15 league matches, Ferran Torres has already bettered his goals tally from last season this term. By netting a hat trick in Barcelona’s thrilling 5-3 win over Real Betis on Saturday, the Spanish forward proved he is the best number nine available to Hansi Flick at this moment in time. Better even than Robert Lewandowski.
Ferran’s breakout season is well-timed. With Lewandowski out of contract at the end of the season, most believed Barca would enter the transfer market next summer to find a replacement for the Polish striker. Instead, Lewandowski’s long-term successor might already be at Camp Nou.
Signed as more of a wide attacker than a centre forward, Ferran has adapted well to his new role over the last two seasons. At first, he was deployed through the middle because Barcelona had nobody else to rotate with Lewandowski and ease some of the burden on the Pole. Now, Ferran looks like the perfect focal point for Flick’s team.
Against Real Betis, Ferran was constantly on the move. Lewandowski might be a more natural finisher in and around the penalty area, but at 37 years old he isn’t as mobile as Flick would surely like. In and out of possession, Ferran’s presence makes Barcelona a more fluid side in the final third of the pitch.
Torres season summary since joining Barcelona (all comps)
Only Lamine Yamal and Pedri are averaging more possessions won in the final third per 90 minutes than Ferran, and the difference between the trio is negligible. The Spanish international presses from the front, making it more difficult for opponents to play through Barca. This quality is particularly valuable considering Flick’s high defensive line and the space in behind.
In attacking phases, Ferran’s intelligent movement makes him a perpetual threat to opposition defences. He is quick to get across his marker at the near post and has worked on the timing of his runs into space. At times, watching Ferran is like watching David Villa when he led the line for the Catalan outfit.
When Ferran shoots on target, he finds the back of the net more often than any of his Barcelona teammates, averaging an Expected Goals On Target (xGOT) of 8.2. For context, Lewandowski’s xGOT for the season stands at just 5.5. Ferran also ranks above Lewandowski in terms of pure Expected Goals (xG) this season.
Torres’ shot map, LaLiga games only
“He’s a very intelligent player. He knows how to interpret spaces very well and he did it fantastically well today,” said Flick when asked about Ferran’s eye-catching performance against Real Betis. “He has a very good mentality and lots of confidence. This is the way forward. He deserves to be in the starting XI. He is always there when he is needed. This stadium is Ferran Torres’ stadium, also when he plays with the national team, he also scored a hat-trick here.”
That Flick mentioned Ferran’s national team performances was pertinent considering there is a World Cup on the horizon. Spain will be among the favourites in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer and Ferran could give them a different attacking dimension. He is in line for a starting spot.
As strong as Spain were at Euro 2024, ultimately going all the way in Germany to lift the trophy, Luis de la Fuente’s team were lacking in three key positions – goalkeeper, centre back and centre forward. Since then, Joan García has emerged as a top-level shot-stopper with Pau Cubarsí a prodigious defender. Ferran could be Spain’s next great centre forward.
For Barcelona, Ferran will continue to spearhead a Barcelona team aiming to better last season’s LaLiga title success. Over a decade has passed since the Catalans were last European champions and so a particular focus is being put on the Champions League this season.
Having suffered defeats to Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Barca still have some work to secure their place in the Champions League knockout rounds. A win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday would see the Spanish champions take an important step towards qualification from the League Phase.
Lewandowski is far from finished. Despite missing a number of matches through injury, the Polish international has still scored eight goals in 822 minutes this season. That gives Lewandowski an average of a goal every 103 minutes, a ratio that is better than most other forwards in Europe’s Big Five leagues.
If Barcelona are to fight on multiple fronts this season, they need Lewandowski to keep finding the back of the net until such a time that a decision on his future is required. When that time comes, though, Barca will be in a better position than they would have been had Ferran not exploded in the way he has this season.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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