Arsenal-bound Torreira set for audition against France's Premier League elite
Fans of Arsenal have become accustomed to casting an eye over the French national side over the last two decades, blindly hoping that Arsene Wenger has some sort of paternal connection with every top youngster coming through les Bleus’ ranks.
They’ll be watching with interest as Didier Deschamps side prepare for their quarter-final at the World Cup today too, but their attentions will turn to the opposition, and the man tasked with halting France’s devastating counter attacks.
That man is Lucas Torreira, who is widely expected to sign for the Gunners once Uruguay’s campaign in Russia comes to an end.
The Sampdoria midfielder has forced his way into the starting XI this summer having been somewhat bizarrely overlooked by Oscar Tabarez in the build up to the tournament.
The 22-year-old hadn’t started a single game for La Celeste prior to the World Cup and wasn’t involved in the XI for the narrow victories over Egypt and Saudi Arabia either. The team’s unconvincing displays inspired a change of heart from the coach, however, and Torreira has taken his chance to impress with both hands.
He has been the midfield anchor against both Russia and Portugal, showing the defensive side of his game that would be a huge asset to Unai Emery at Arsenal.
In that regard he’ll play a similar role to N’Golo Kante for the opposition, and just how he fares when compared against the Chelsea star will be an interesting indicator as to his potential Premier League pedigree. Both are diminutive, indefatigable presences in the middle of the park, with Torreira averaging 2.9 tackles and 2.0 interceptions per 90 minutes in Serie A last season, while his figure for the latter this summer is a superb 3.4.
However, the one side of his game that we haven’t really been able to see in Russia is his range of passing, which is an area that he has the edge over the aforementioned Kante. In this Uruguay system though, he is encouraged to play short passes more often than not and he has used the ball well thus far, completing 90.3% of his attempts.
That’s something that the Arsenal fans will be keen to run the rule over, but today’s match may not be the opportunity to do so. Instead he’ll be on defensive duties once again, aiming to keep the likes of Paul Pogba in check, and his willingness to put his body on the line is something that should immediately adorn the youngster to the Gunners faithful.
With the deal all but complete, they will be torn between wanting to see more of their apparent £26m man and wanting to get the deal done as soon as possible. A medical has been put on hold until Uruguay’s World Cup journey comes to an end, one way or another.
