Rangers transfer linked Pablo Torre scouted: Should club target deep-lying attacker with action-man hips?

The latest player to be credited with Rangers’ interest is Racing Santander’s Pablo Torre - an 18-year-old midfielder capped for the Spanish U19 side. He has established himself quickly at Racing – starting 15 of 17 Primera games in season 2021/22 following last season’s break into the first team.

Torre already has a clearly-defined best position, can turn on either side with good pace and boasts eye-catching technical abilities. He plays with responsibility and maturity beyond his young years - understanding when to speed up play and the times to await an opening.

This season he has three goals and four assists from an xG of 2.12 and an xA of 2.97. All other stats used throughout are based on his contributions in the past calendar year. 

His side mainly deploys a 4-2-3-1 although att times switching to more of a 4-4-1-1. Torre has started in the No.10 role throughout regardless of shape. His heatmap outlines the freedom granted by manager Alejandro Menendez - shown by a tendency to drift across the attacking third and into his own half to link moves. His preference is clearly to receive on the left side of the pitch.

Notice also how frequently Torre drops into his own half. He receives only 0.7 long balls per game and his xGChain/90 stands at 0.74 in the last calendar year. Further, on average he has received 25 passes and made 35 per 90 this season. All of which shows a No.10 that prefers to come towards the ball and contributes to build-up.

Torre is right-footed yet comfortable to operate on either side. A conundrum opposing markers must face when he receives with his back to goal. 21 per cent of his shots have been taken on his left foot. Often when showing for the ball centrally, he over-commits his marker with the threat of spinning one way and then carries the ball out the other side.

Torre takes the ball down and deceives his marker by planting his body weight forward

But his mobility allows him to swivel his hips and exit the duel from his left instead

His intelligent ball-carrying stands out upon viewing. 5.24 dribbles per 90 with a 56 per cent success rate is not abnormally high. Consideration however must be given to the areas where Torre receives possession and the multitude of roles his position demands.

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His penalty area deliveries from the last year demonstrate a preference to carry from the left. As do his dribbles in the final third.

Statistically, Torre appears a player highly involved in his team's build-up and final third play. Comfortable on either foot and skilled at impacting the game in central areas.

Those qualities make him so effective in these areas - with his game intelligence matching his technical attributes.

Here, he is able to penetrate space in the opposing midfield using a combination of his link play and one-v-one ability. Dropping off possession before receiving at pace and going by two players – not awarded what appeared a clear penalty.

Deeper in the pitch, Torre is equally effective. Possessing the ability to quickly switch play or move possession through the lines.

In this instance, the playmaker resists the urge to spread play to the highlighted players in his own half. Recognising a more valuable through-ball may be attainable.

By playing a one-two centrally, the two players highlighted in the opening frame are now in a position to break in behind.

This poise in high-pressure moments stands out. In the below example, Torre orientates his body to gain room before playing through instead of rushing his distribution.

Also clear in his short career to date is his willingness to compliment creativity with direct contributions. 

A look at his shot map outlines that all but one of his goals in the last calendar year have arrived from central locations in the box. Three of which have come directly from crosses. Perhaps not a trait that would be automatically associated with a player of his profile.

This is undoubtedly the area that will attract the interest of clubs. If the youngster can consistently add goal contributions to his game outside of the box his value will greatly increase.

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This goal sums up all the traits covered in this scout report, with a finish at the end. Pulling his team up the pitch by receiving in a tricky area, out-smarting his marker by taking the ball on his left foot, playing forward and then crucially arriving in the box.

Last season, see Torre time his back-post arrival to score against Laredo.

With only 1.92 touches in the opposition penalty box each game, Torre is evidently selected for his qualities in progressing the ball to the final third. However, adding these goals by arriving into the box will only aid his team and development. 

At only 18, Torre has an extremely impressive skillset. As such, links to bigger clubs should come as no surprise. 

His technique makes any rumour of a transfer north welcome, but so does his game intelligence. Coming from a possession-dominant team, Torre understands the importance of moving opposition defences and like Scott Wright or Ryan Kent - can use his action-man hips to spin his marker left or right.

If rumours of an achievable release clause prove true, he would be a welcome addition.