The commencement of Aston Villa’s 2023-2024 Premier League season against Newcastle has sparked a multitude of discussions. One such debate revolves around the performance and worthiness of their new defensive recruit, Pau Torres.
Pau Torres is actually one of the most overrated central defenders in recent times. This Spanish player seems to have gained popularity primarily due to his ball-handling skills and elegance on-field, rather than for his actual defensive capabilities.
His defensive performances often leave much to be desired, raising questions about his overall effectiveness as a defender. His slow pace coupled with inconsistent marking further adds fuel to this argument.
Moreover, Torres’ aerial game needs significant improvement. Despite possessing commendable ball-releasing abilities, these do not compensate for his lackluster defense.
It is important to note that while an elegant playstyle can add aesthetic value to the game, it does not necessarily contribute towards effective defending. In fact, it could potentially distract from what should be a defender’s primary role – safeguarding their team’s goalpost.
A defender’s ability to defend should always take precedence over any other skill. The quality of releasing the ball should ideally be secondary in importance when evaluating a player’s competence in this position.
ROB LAURENS
