Pep Guardiola has compared Ferran Torres to Leicester legend Jamie Vardy after the Spain international’s two-goal display against Norwich.
The 21-year-old capped Manchester City ’s excellent 5-0 demolition of Arsenal with an opportunist first goal and a fine header, after a superb run to get on the end of Riyad Mahrez ’s cross and round off the scoring.
And in a week when City’s pursuit of Harry Kane ended, and when they were also linked with Cristiano Ronaldo, Torres again gave notice that he could be a solution to the problem of finding a successor for Sergio Aguero.
Torres first gave notice with his spectacular hat-trick at Newcastle last season, and he has led the Blues’ line in the last two games to great effect.
Guardiola said yesterday that he has as many as six players who can take the central forward role this season, but he has picked Torres two weeks running.
And he felt Torres has a look of Foxes great Vardy, who led them to their remarkable Premier League triumph in 2016 and has been a constant thorn in the side of Guardiola’s City since.
“I would say the last season Ferran played was exceptional,” said Guardiola. “He played incredibly well.
“Now in this position, he makes movements like the best strikers in behind, like Jamie Vardy. “He is a good finisher, he is so young. Man City made an incredible job buying him, a player who can play in three positions.
“He is an incredibly good finisher, the goal against Norwich that was disallowed the finishing was good. We are incredibly pleased with his movement his work ethic with many things.”
But Guardiola warned that Torres is not necessarily a fixture in the team despite his fine start to the campaign, and with Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne expected back after the international break, competition is about to step up
“We have played just three games but you cannot imagine how important is Raheem and Riyad and Phil will be back,” said the manager.
“We had two weeks to train and prepare, Arsenal had three days, we had seven. They have six seven injured, important players.
“Except Phil and Kevin the rest of our squad is fit and 2-0. They had a man sent off, a big advantage for us. We need everyone.
“Now starts the real season and everyone will be important and after the guy who plays good will have the chances to play.”
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