When they sold Arda Turan to Barcelona during the summer, Atletico Madrid lost a key component of their success in recent years.
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The Turkish midfielder was the silk to complement his team’s well-known steel – the man, more than any other, who was capable of putting his foot on the ball, picking out a pass and creating danger in the opposition penalty area.
His loss, however, was significantly compensated by the return to the club of a young man who will now be given every opportunity to prove himself as Turan’s worthy successor: Oliver Torres.
Although he is still only 20, close followers of Spanish football will have been aware of Torres for many years. Ever since he played a fundamental role in Spain’s triumph in the 2012 Under-19 European Championships, performing alongside Real Madrid’s Jese Rodriguez, Juan Bernat of Bayern Munich and Valencia striker Paco Alcacer, this floppy-haired technician has been widely regarded as the future of the national team’s midfield.
He was introduced to Atletico’s senior squad at the start of the following season, making 24 appearances over the next 18 months as Diego Simeone eased a player with huge potential into the demanding rigours of first-team football.
In January 2014, Simeone made the brave long-term decision that the final stages of an ultimately successful La Liga title challenge was no place for a richly-talented but physically frail teenager to learn his craft, and he was loaned out to Villarreal.
Oliver Torres = the future. Been raving about him for years. Skill-set & profile a tad similar to Xavi. Joy to watch him. Keep an eye on him
— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) September 10, 2015
Torres made only a modest impact on Spain’s east coast, but fared much better with another loan, this time for the whole campaign, as he traversed the Iberian Peninsula to join Porto last season.
He was outstanding for the Portuguese giants, becoming a key member of the side which progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals and netting seven league goals.
His time in Portugal was only ever going to be temporary, however, because Atletico never considered allowing the permanent departure of a player they have always regarded as a key member of their long-term plan. And with Torres back at the Vicente Calderon, Simeone has already shown his trust in the youngster by putting him straight into the starting XI – filling the wide midfield position vacated by Turan.
He was workmanlike and diligent during Atletico’s victories over Las Palmas and Sevilla, clearly determined to fit into the team’s structure rather than attempting to showcase his individual skills. But talent is something Torres possesses in abundance, and there would be no better place than today’s clash with treble-winners Barcelona to show the world exactly what he can deliver.
What makes him so special? What can he do? Well… everything. A wonderful passer with a brilliant first touch, he possesses that special gift of top-class players of always appearing to have more time than anyone else. And, as he showed with Porto, he knows where the goal is.
For years, Oliver Torres has been ‘one for the future’. Now it is time to show he is one for the present.
