TORRES IS A QUALITY PLAYER – GIVEN

Ex-Manchester City and Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given was in awe of the quality shown by Spanish international Ferran Torres during the Premier League game between hosts Newcastle United and Manchester City.

Shay Given was impressed with Torres who scored three goals as Manchester City beat the Magpies in a seven-goal thriller. It was the first game for Manchester City since they were confirmed as the Premier League champions and the aforementioned Torres showed his quality with his hattrick to lead a much changed City line-up to a 4-3 win over the Magpies. Manchester City were officially confirmed as the Premier League champions after Leicester City defeated second-placed Manchester United 2-1 away from home 72 hours before they faced the Magpies.

Shay Given praised Torres while he was on Premier League TV for the analysis on the game between two of his former clubs. According to him, Torres has shown that he can be a reliable source of goals for Pep Guardiola. Shay Given then said there’s still a doubt if the Spaniard can replace Sergio Aguero for the long-term.

Manchester City star Torres has played in a number of attacking positions for the club since moving from his native Spain last season. He can play on the left side, in the middle and on the right side as an attacking midfielder. The Spaniard can also play as a centre forward.

Shay Given doesn’t think Torres can be a direct replacement for a seasoned goalscorer like Aguero who will leave the Citizens at the end of his contract this month. Aguero will leave Manchester City as their all-time leading goalscorer after a decade at the club. He will leave City with a Premier League title in his final season at the club though his final act as a Manchester City player was appearing as a substitute in the Champions League final which ended in a 1-0 defeat to rivals Chelsea.