Ferran Torres talks Xavi, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Spain, El Clasico, injuries

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres has been quite influential this season. The former Manchester City star started off the pre-season with a bang and his form continued in the competitive matches to the extent that he has now become a key member of the roster.

Now, it must be noted that Torres was on the verge of exit this summer. The manager was growing into the idea that his impact is slowly fading and with the team crippled with financial difficulties, it was becoming more and more evident that he would end up leaving.

However, speaking in an interview, he said that he was absolutely clear about the idea that he would stay at Barça and fight for his place.

When asked if he had a talk with Xavi about the move, he said: “No, I did not speak with Xavi, I already said in an interview that I was not going to go anywhere.”

“I’m not going to say names or anything, but I think they threw me in more than there was really out there. I was clear about it, I was going to stay at Barça, I have a contract with Barça and I am going to succeed at Barça because I see myself capable,” he said.

He also said that this season, Barcelona have a really strong team. “[I see Barcelona as] a very strong team, with a lot of talent, with many players per position, which is good for us and I think it looks like a good year.”

On the matter of Xavi mentioning as an example for the rest of the team, Torres said: “At a club like Barcelona it’s very complicated. You are obliged to win every game and play well on top of that. Many times you can’t achieve everything. Discipline is fundamental for me because it means that you don’t stray from the path and the results come.”

Relationship with Robert Lewandowski and injuries

The young forward has admitted that ever since Lewandowski moved to Barcelona, he has been learning new things from him. He is of the idea that just by paying attention to him, he can improve a lot.

“Yes, from the first day, I have attached myself to him a lot because he is a reference. I think I can improve a lot at the expense of him, by paying attention to him. 

“I am very competitive and I compete with him in training by trying to score more goals than him. Maybe he, unconsciously, is making me a better player,” he said.

Barcelona have been troubled with injuries to key players this season, including Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and even Ronald Araujo was absent for a certain period of time.

“We play every three days, there is practically no rest and I think it is something inevitable in the world of football because the games require a lot of intensity. 

“I hope that the players on our team who are injured return soon to have the squad at 100%,” he added.

Furthermore, when asked if he has felt any difference while playing in Montujic and not Camp Nou, he admitted:

“It seemed like there was going to be a lot of change, but big thanks to the fans because they are making us feel like we are at Camp Nou, supporting us, encouraging us and it is something very important.”

Meanwhile, there were also words reserved for Lamine Yamal who has been reeling with some discomfort. 

“Yes, I saw him, he had some kind of discomfort. You can’t talk to him much, but you have to take care of him, make sure he doesn’t get injured, he’s an important player,” he said.

There was also praise for Sergi Roberto and how he has been leading the team, as Torres said: “For me Sergi Roberto is an example. He is someone who knows the club very well. He has been here all his life and he knows how to take the reins of the team and when it is necessary to give warnings, he gives them.”

Mental strength

Torres has been working with a psychologist and the forward believes that attending such sessions is still a taboo in Spain.

“Yes Yes. It is a topic that must be normalized because it is something totally normal. Today, if I had known, I would have started working at 14.15 years old, when you are a little more aware of things. 

“It is a taboo topic that I do not understand, but little by little, as you see social networks, how dangerous they are, the world of journalism that in the end, everyone reads it. 

“It’s not to make your own cases or anything, but in the end, just as many people follow us, many people read you, many people read it on social networks and you have to try to work on it so that the sooner you know how to live with it, better.”

When asked if there was any specific moment he decided to get professional help, he said: “No, it was something very normal and very smooth. It was simply telling me I was going to work with a psychologist, I have never worked with a psychologist. 

“Anyway, as you said about the taboo, I didn’t see it as necessary, I thought it was for those who had problems and vice versa, working with my psychologist changed my life because after starting to work with him I realized many things the ones I didn’t pay much attention to.”

The forward says that all these practices have helped him professionally, saying: “Now I am a better footballer than last year, than two years ago, when I debuted in the First Division. 

“Because? Because I have the ability to visualize more things, to visualize myself achieving the goals I want, to analyze mistakes I have made and from there, I know what I have to do to improve it, to reach the goal I want.

Furthermore, upon explaining his objective, he said: “A lot of success, obviously, who doesn’t want success? 

“Above all, do great things this year with the club and on a personal level, achieve new goals and records, surpass City’s Ferran, the one from last season, make better plays, improve everything.”

National team and its firepower

Torres was picked for the Spanish national team on the back of his recent scintillating performances. However, the forward does not see it that way.

“I don’t see it that way. The coach tries to choose the 23 who are best and, in the end, here everyone can be important because we are the team, the ones who are best, there are important games coming up that we come from many games. 

“Everyone can be important and you have to be prepared.”

Torres said that the Spanish team has enough firepower in the attack at the moment. 

“Joselu is also on a roll, Bryan is also coming from putting two on us, Nico and Ansu too. In the end, what I have told you, we are all important, we all have a goal and that is very important for the coach.”

After mentioning Zaragoza, Torres was asked if he had a word with the Granada forward about the offside controversy, to which he said:

“I don’t even want to talk about it, because in the end, it’s over. These are the circumstances of the game and there is no point in turning around. A tie, there is a lot of League left, there is a lot of year left and we will turn this around.”

El Clasico

Barcelona face off against Real Madrid on October 28 at Montjuic in the first El Clasico of the season. When asked about the big game, Torres insisted that the team will go match-by-match as they have two other clashes before that.

“No. The most important thing is to look game by game. Before the clásico there is another La Liga and Champions League game, we have to look game by game and that’s it,” he said.

Torres, nicknamed ‘The Shark’, was asked if he would ‘bite’ against the current leaders, to which he responded by saying: “I want to bite in every game, no matter who the opponent is.”

A rapid-fire

Best teammate he has ever had: Pedri

Best player he has shared a locker room with: Sergio Busquets

Childhood idol: David Villa

Best player apart from Messi: “There are very very good players who are at a spectacular level, like Mbappe, Haaland.”

Barcelona or Valencia: “Right now, Barcelona because I want to achieve great things with them.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo and SPORT