So does Fernandes, so add a Liver Bird over their hearts to exclude the undesirables.
Does he score goals?
Iām alright with comparisons, theyāre inevitable.
But one thing is when we, fans, mortals, who can say anything we want without consequences on the team, and another thing is Steven Gerrard saying it to Ekitike live on TV. I mean, you can talk to Hugo about our different glorious strikers from the past or certain goals, but leave him alone, heās developing nicely.
There are similarities of course, their pace, perhaps even more at times their running styles, especially when Hugo goes on these brave accelerated change of directions with the ball (even through narrow spaces), which Torres also used to do.
The goal had some similarities with Torresā first.
Other than that, no I donāt see more similarities.
Ekitikeās best skill (his pure technique, ball manipulation and ability to drop and combine in different zones with his back or profile to goal, without being a proven target man yet) is something Torres was never really good at, hence why he was always best playing as a single striker on his own and his back to goal could be so-so.
Itās why David Villa had certain advantage over him for Spain and why I never understood Chelseaās idea to go big for him (at a time when those who knew Torres well, could see that he was a different player post-WC10, he sacrified part of his health to be at that tournament and thatās fair enough) and playing him in a two up top system. That was bound for failure or not successful enough.
Also, prime Torres could really bully defenders if we talk about the striker needing to be the teamās first defender (back in the day when it wasnāt as common as today). Iād say he was physically underrated (he was much stronger than just lightweight pacy striker who could finish) and technically a bit overrated. Thatās not Ekitikeās strong point and something he said Slot talked about in their first conversation. Half of the meeting was the defensive aspect of the game and whatās needed to be the teamās first defender here. Slot said heās improving and we can see that.
So thatās it for now, Iām very happy to have him and Iād say heās technically the best forward we had since Firmino and Sturridge.
How does it develop with Isak also in the house, nobody knows. Or they know, but Iām willing to see what they had/have in mind. Starting to doubt whether Iāll ever see that. Regardless whoās the head coach. Even if Salah leaves this summer and the selection becomes āeasierā because of one key piece of the puzzle less.
3 Likes
After seeing how good this lad is I really donāt get the need for Isak? Did we not expect Hugo to be this good? Are going to go 4-4-2 when Salah leaves?
Iām not saying Isak isnāt good - he is - but just hope when Isak is back it doesnāt disrupt Ekitikes growth and game time.
1 Like
Isak was our first choice, thereās no way we couldāve known how Ekitike would do since signing for us until the end of the window and going forward.
I understand there were factors like Jotaās unfortunate tragedy and Isakās saga with Newcastle, arriving late, with 4 months or no football and not collective training. There was a serious chance that we donāt land our first target.
How they imagined all this with all of our moves last summer, I donāt know and now it might be even too late to find out this season.
The questions will remain for next season(s) for whoever is in charge.
I think by making a comparison from new to old, is just another way of explaining and describing 5000 words via a two word name.
Mentioning Ekitike and Torres in the same breath, results in years of soundbites and media attention both good and bad from Torres era. To me, it is not so much a lazy comparison, but just a short-winded way of getting a point across.
1 Like
I see very little comparison, however the goal itself totally reminded me of the Torres goal, and the reason that goal has stuck with me over the years was due to the commentator mentioning how there were question marks over the Torres fee and quality, then the goal happens, and then the āwe believe him nowā line (I forget the exact quote). It couldnāt have been scripted any better.
His second goal on sat was world class, shaped to the left, and then toe poked it under the keeper on his right, in the half step. Unplayable. Best one yet from him for me.
1 Like