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By Elio Salerno.
(Lucas Torreira- Sampdoria)
In form and improving all the time, Lucas Torreira is a talent that is growing under the radar.
A prospect worth monitoring over the coming months, so who is this talented youngster?
Lucas Sebastián Torreira Di Pascua… Simply known as Lucas Torreira the Uruguayan native arrived on Italian shores in January 2014, then only 17 he joined Serie B side Pescara as part of their Primavera squad. It would not be long before he would go onto make his full senior debut, appearing for the first team in May 2015. Despite only a brief appearance at the end of 2014-2015 season it did not prevent Serie A side Sampdoria signing the young midfield player for a reported fee of around £1.7 million.
(Lucas Torreira- Pescara)
Recognising the player’s potential, Samp wasted no time in returning the player to Pescara for the 2015-2016 season to provide him with much needed game time. Under the guidance of former Italy player Massimo Oddo, Torreira would be a regular over the season as he helped the Delfini win promotion to Serie A via the playoffs. The summer of 2016 saw the player return to parent club Sampdoria, the club itself had just hired the impressive Marco Giampaolo for the new season and he instantly made Torreira part of his plans. Showing maturity, discipline and a good understanding of the role Torreira was deployed as the pivot player in a midfield diamond. Torreira would go onto make over 30 appearances in his first top flight season during 2016-2017, posting impressive numbers while playing an important role in Giampaolo’s expansive and demanding set up.
(Lucas Torreira & Uruguayan compatriot Luis Suarez)
The player…
Lucas Torreira is a dynamic and tenacious midfield player, already shown to be more then capable of meeting the requirements the defensive midfield position demands. At 5’6 he is not the most powerful player but what he lacks in physique he makes up with intelligence: quick and able to cover ground quickly his positioning and awareness of the game allows him to anticipate play, making him a highly effective ball winner both in terms of tackles and interceptions. This is highlighted by his statistics in both area: last season Torreira completed on average 2.8 successful tackles alongside 2.5 interceptions per game and he is already showing he has the consistency to match it. During his 11 Serie A games so far this season the number 34 is averaging 2.9 successful tackles and 2.1 successful interceptions per game. In comparison to his Serie A counter parts that have featured in at least 10 games during 2016-2017, Torreira comes in first and fifth respectively for both successful tackles and interceptions.
Playing in a Marco Giampaolo team means the defensive midfield position requires you to be more than an effective destroyer, you also play a key role in helping the team in possession and Torreira is showing that he’s more than capable. With a nice range to his passing game Torreira helps facilitate the requirement to build play from deep while also offering a constant link when his team have possession in midfield. Last season he averaged an impressive 60.5 passes per game at a completion rate of 86.6%, already posting similar numbers this season. He has also contributed with one assist and two goals after failing to register either last term (His thunderous free kick against Chievo is certainly a contender for goal of the season). Combine his desire to win the ball, a nice passing range and his quick use of possession Torreira is excellent for transitional play and as a former number 10 if he can continue to back up the attack in this fashion it will add an extra element to his game. Importantly Torreira is a proficient dribbler and this is where he makes further use of his dynamic stature: with a low centre of gravity and ability to turn sharply Torreira can not only pass his way out of pressure but his close control allows him to dribble past opponents too. Breaking lines with passes and when running with the ball is a huge asset for the player and his team, it’s a trait all the world’s best midfield players possess. Rarely wasteful with his use of possession & difficult to disposes, Torreira’s style of play often see’s the opposition attempt to restrict him, quickly applying pressure to prevent him controlling play. As a result the midfield man wins a number of fouls: so far during this current Serie A season he is winning on average 3.3 fouls per game (a league high). Winning fouls is an important detail, Torreira is cunning, protects the ball intelligently and draws contact from opposition.
(All stats provided by WhoScored.com)
The future…
Sampdoria have made a great start to the current Serie A campaign and there is no doubt that it is Swiss born coach Marco Giampaolo who must take the majority of plaudits. Torreira could not have many better tutors, already responsible for nurturing other midfield talents such as Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski and Zenit St Petersburg’s Leandro Paredes.
Giampaolo is an astute tactician, his teams are fantastic to watch: from the quick passing exchanges to the expansive way they attack or the intense press they adopt out of possession. The fact the manager trust Torreira to play a key role in his team speaks volumes about the player, only 21 he has taken on the responsibility and is thriving off it. Yet to be called up by his national side, fans of Uruguayan football will be excited by the prospect of seeing Torreira line up alongside fellow compatriot and Juventus talent Rodrgio Bentancuar in the future. Torreira is a warrior, already a leader in this Sampdoria team and showing signs he has all the tools to become a top player in his role. If his development continues in this current fashion it is hard to see the player covering the pitch at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for much longer, clubs across Europe will be looking for the midfield protection Torreira can offer.