Torres relishing chance to follow in hero Silva’s footsteps at Man City

Ferran Torres insists he is not overawed at following in the footsteps of his boyhood hero David Silva.

Torres, a £21million summer signing, joined Manchester City from Valencia, just like Silva, and has inherited the iconic playmaker’s No.21 shirt.

Silva left City this summer after a decade of glittering success, the Spaniard recognised as one the greatest players in the club’s illustrious history.

Torres, a lifelong Valencia fan, had posters of Silva on his bedroom wall and would wait with friends to grab a picture and autograph from him at the club’s training ground.

Despite having looked up to Silva from an early age, Spain winger Torres, 21, said he is undaunted by the challenge of trying to emulate his idol.

“It was a huge honour for me when the club told me I could choose the 21 shirt,” said Torres. “Just for what it means here.

“I’ll try to give my best and be a part of the history of this club.

“Speaking about reaching what David Silva did in Manchester are very strong words, but obviously it’s an honour to inherit his number.

“I haven’t had the chance to speak with him but he has always been a role model for me since I was a kid.

“When I arrived at Valencia he was a key part of the first-team, alongside the likes of David Villa and Juan Mata.

“He’s been a reference for me. I’ve not had the chance to speak to him, but I’ll try to follow his steps in this club.

“I do have really good memories of watching him when I was young at La Mestalla.

“The team they had, with Villa and Mata as well, was excellent. They practically won everything.

“I also have a lot of memories about when we waited for the first-team players to come out from the training sessions.

“We would be waiting for that moment to ask them for pictures and signatures. I remember looking for David above the rest.

“Not just David, I had several pictures of all of that Valencia squad [on my bedroom wall].

“It was a great team for a number of years and I like them for what they meant and for the great seasons they gave to the club.”

As well as Silva, Pep Guardiola lost another influential player this summer in winger Leroy Sane, who left for Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to £54m.

Torres, one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers, has been compared to Sane, in terms of his pace, ability to beat players and provide assists, as well as chip in with goals.

Although he acknowledged their similarities, Torres, who could make his City debut at Wolves on Monday, said: “He’s left-footed and I’m right footed. Apart from that, we may share some similarities.

“He likes playing wide, going one against one, dribbling and helping the team with goals and assists. That’s the same as me.

“I like to run in behind the back of the defence, but I also can ask for the ball into my feet.

“I want to give the manager many options and be ready for any moment the team may need me.

“Pep is a manager who knows how to get the best from any player. That made me feel absolutely sure City was the right step in my career.

“With Pep as a manager, I can reach my full potential.”