*IF* Villa signs, are you worried about Torres role?

[slimbimjim]

As much as I would love to see Villa as Liverpool, wouldn't this change the role Torres plays in the team and perhaps turn him into a Kuyt type player?

IE Playing for the team and not scoring as much...

[Red Chilli]

First up, Villa's not very likely to sign. However, hypothetically speaking, I see him as a direct replacement for Kuyt. He can play on the right of 3 or he can swap with Gerrard and play behind Torres.

There's no reason why we have to revert to 4-4-2 by default. Also, Rafa picks his formation depending on the opposition and conditions.
The 4-2-3-1 formation works very well against 16 of the premiership opponents, but it hasn't worked very well against the top 3 (except the Arse in the CL which is a different proposition).
Villa would give us 3 (Torres, Villa and Gerrard) top goalscoring threats and will make it awkward for defences as they can't afford to mark Torres out of the game and let the holding midfielder take care of Gerrard.
Another top striker is key to us performing against the top 3 in the league IMO. Whether that be Villa, or someone more realistic, remains to be seen.

[Reaper]

I see it being like this

---------Villa-----------

Babel---Torres---Gerrard

[el matador]

really good point.

Im not sure if they are able to work together as they do for spain with torres being the workhorse for villa to grab the headlines. Very similar to heskey and torres.

But only a fool would compare torres to heskey and im not sure villa is good enough to make nando our number 2 striker.

It might mean a change in formation too which wouldnt suit torres because he likes playing in front of gerrard and being gerrard's first out ball.

Signing villa would be a dream but im not sure how he would fit in.

[Red Chilli]

I see it being like this

---------Villa-----------

Babel---Torres---Gerrard

Interesting I see:

-----------Torres-------------

Babel---Gerrard/Villa---Villa/Gerrard

[NICKZS]

If we won the league and Torres only scored 10 I'm sure he (or us) wouldn't really be too arsed.

[Exiled_red]

I can't see him signing for us.

But I would imagine if we were looking at him it would be either to play up with Torres in a 4-4-2 or in the Gerrard/Kuyt roles in the 4-2-3-1

[Kopite_Colin]

Interesting I see:

---------------------Torres-------------Villa---------------------------

Babel / New LW / Barry---Gerrard---Mascherano /Barry---Babel / New RW

[Reaper]

Interesting I see:

-----------Torres-------------

Babel---Gerrard/Villa---Villa/Gerrard

Villa is an out and out striker and has the more natural goal instinct a la Fowler

Torres on the other hand can play that role OR from slightly deeper.

Torres is the more versatile of the two and possesses more skill which would enables him to go past players

[blacky]

Villa is an out and out striker and has the more natural goal instinct a la Fowler

Torres on the other hand can play that role OR from slightly deeper.

Torres is the more versatile of the two and possesses more skill which would enables him to go past players

Exactly. I think Villa would fit in perfectly and Torres would adapt.

--------------------Villa--------------------
--------Torres-------------Babel/Kuyt-------
--------------Barry------Gerrard-------------
--------------------Masch------------------
Dossena------Agger-------Carra-------Degen
-------------------Pepe---------------------

Full backs would give us width. Masch would give us defensice cover. BArry and SG give the midfield balance and are equally comfortable pulling out wide. Kuyt, Babel and Torres always start attacks from wide positions so this would suit them with Villa as the spearhead.

[el matador]

Exactly. I think Villa would fit in perfectly and Torres would adapt.

--------------------Villa--------------------
--------Torres-------------Babel/Kuyt-------
--------------Barry------Gerrard-------------
--------------------Masch------------------
Dossena------Agger-------Carra-------Degen
-------------------Pepe---------------------

Full backs would give us width. Masch would give us defensice cover. BArry and SG give the midfield balance and are equally comfortable pulling out wide. Kuyt, Babel and Torres always start attacks from wide positions so this would suit them with Villa as the spearhead.

I dont want to sound like a heretic but here are my observations on torres:

- I didnt expect him to score as many goals as he did for us and I'd be astounded if he reached 30 next season.
- his first touch isnt brilliant but because of his pace he can get himself out of trouble.
- His overall link up play isnt terrific either and his passing leaves a lot to be desired.

So i dont believe he can play anywhere else for us apart from up front as he doesnt have the touch to play on either flank. He has the pace and the power to cause havoc up front and for me that's where he should be played as he terrifies opposing defenders, something Villa cant and wont do.

Villa can play deeper and has better all round team play than torres, but that's like playing gerrard at right back because he can get defend. Villa is a no.1 stiker and so is Torres.

Cant have 2 1's in an 11.

[Helios Creed]

Surely if Torres needs to run at defences from deep, then having a distracting traditional striker in front of him is ideal, especially if that player is just as dangerous and difficult to deal with as he is? I think if we can get him, we will be unstoppable next year - I'd feel sorry for defences that have to play against us. A bit.

[Nic83]

They would rotate during the game. No better ingredients for a lovely cake either.

[Reaper]

How is do people rate Torres on his left foot? I know Gerrard can use his and Babel is used to occupying the left slot at the mo..

If Torres can use his to a decent level too, it would leave defences with an awful headache with the amount of switchin the three would do

[Joe King]

They would rotate during the game. No better ingredients for a lovely cake either.

Correct. I think it would be the way Holland interchange (total football at the top end of the pitch). It would dazzle markers and give brilliant movement and hopefully brilliant football and the title.