Being destroyed by his manager or mentally and physically weak?
When LT first got into the team he was like a breath of fresh air. However, as last season went on he became frail and seemingly fatigued. He soon lost his place, and if we are honest, deservedly so.
This season has been worse. When he has played it has been further forward, with his boss not trusting him at all to do what many see as his natural role.
Given what has become a rare chance to start, LT had a grand total of 33 touches today, with no tackles made and no interceptions. Two things you would associate with him. Dani Ceballos made 4 tackles and an interception, so it is hard to blame his more advanced role for not getting stuck in.
One thing to consider before laying all the blame on Mr Emery - Torreira has never been a regular starter for Uruguay either - despite competition for a place being with similar aged and even younger compatriots.
Last week LT was seen crying as his captain, Granit Xhaka, was booed off. Not the first time our tough midfielder has been seen in tears. There was also a lot of talk of "homesickness" and a desire to move back to Italy.
There are also creditable claims that Torreira was far from first choice of Mr Emery when we signed him. Mr Emery was pushing for a taller, more physical, and better passer than LT.
Links with Italian clubs may return in January, should we cut our losses and hope to get an alternative to LT, or should we hope that Mr Emery (or his successor) can get LT performing?
Lucas Torreira...
posted on 3/11/19
Emery is essentially trying to turn him into Ramsey, played him at the tip of a diamond yesterday. It's weird seeing him in the box so much.
posted on 3/11/19
Ozil was the tip of the diamond, Torreira was the right hand point.
posted on 3/11/19
yeah, they interchanged a fair bit. ozil had a clear role in that he was attacking, fack knows what torreira's being asked to do. both were ineffective.
posted on 3/11/19
Not a bad player. Wouldn't mind seeing him play as a DM consistently for 3 or 4 games but it's never going to happen under Emery.
Emery seems to think Torreira can be used up to for the high press but not once have I seen it work
On the whole, I don't think Torreira is all that anyway. A lot more better CDM in the league let alone around the world
posted on 3/11/19
Keeping an open mind has never been a bad thing. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't try something different by finally giving Torreira a freer role. In any case, what do we really have to lose?
He certainly has the lungs for it, and his first instinct has always been to bomb forward (with or without the ball) and join the attack. A welcome change in a squad as lethargic as ours.
posted on 3/11/19
He's a talent guy, but he does seem mentally frail, a bit like the late Reyes who suffered a similar sort of situation regarding home sickness.
In all honesty we have enough mentally fragile players in the club, so getting rid end of season is a good option if he doesn't turn it around. Though I do want to see him playing deeper to see if it could just be a positional thing, but I doubt it.
posted on 3/11/19
Torreira is our most tenacious player. And probably the most mobile midfielder we have. When you say he lost form last season...he picked up an injury and by then, Emery had decided his faves were Guendouzi and Xhaka. Torreira saw less game time and with never the same partner. Over the years, we have seen how partnerships work. Look at Coquelin and Cazorla. Take Cazorla away and Coquelin was not as good.
This season, Torreira is being asked to play the game much higher up the pitch. Many times he is the only one pressing as we dont press as a team. So it is very easy to play around him and he is never gonna get in a tackle or interception when he is pressing the opposition's defence.
Play Torreira in the DM spot next to Cabellos or Guendouzi and give them a run of games to establish a partnership.
As for size...look at Kante and Makelele. Size is just an excuse. Xhaka looks like a big old mean bastard...but he is a kitten on the pitch. When he tackles...its normally a foul.
posted on 3/11/19
Torreira is our most tenacious player
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0 tackles and 0 interceptions yesterday.
posted on 4/11/19
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 20 hours ago
Torreira is our most tenacious player
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0 tackles and 0 interceptions yesterday.
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I'm sure I saw him make two tackles and win the ball
posted on 4/11/19
comment by MaineGunner (U10130)
posted 1 day, 1 hour ago
Torreira is our most tenacious player. And probably the most mobile midfielder we have. When you say he lost form last season...he picked up an injury and by then, Emery had decided his faves were Guendouzi and Xhaka. Torreira saw less game time and with never the same partner. Over the years, we have seen how partnerships work. Look at Coquelin and Cazorla. Take Cazorla away and Coquelin was not as good.
This season, Torreira is being asked to play the game much higher up the pitch. Many times he is the only one pressing as we dont press as a team. So it is very easy to play around him and he is never gonna get in a tackle or interception when he is pressing the opposition's defence.
Play Torreira in the DM spot next to Cabellos or Guendouzi and give them a run of games to establish a partnership.
As for size...look at Kante and Makelele. Size is just an excuse. Xhaka looks like a big old mean bastard...but he is a kitten on the pitch. When he tackles...its normally a foul.
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