FC Barcelona sent several players on loan during the last summer transfer window with a view either to lower their wage bill or to help young players get meaningful minutes in sides with lesser pressure.
One such youngster who was loaned mainly for the latter purpose was Pablo Torre, who joined Girona on loan with the aim of getting quality minutes in La Liga and developing further as a player.
Like Fermin Lopez, Torre is also with the Spain U-21 squad, and as SPORT has reported, gave an interview to Radio Marca in which he reflected upon his experiences at Barcelona.
Lack of minutes at Barcelona, Relationship with Xavi
The midfielder was asked whether he was frustrated or demotivated because of a lack of minutes at Barcelona, but he denied ever having such a feeling:
“Not at all. I knew it was a challenging stage; you just have to look at the players all over the field. I focused a lot on them, and despite not having many minutes, it was a good time for me. I didn’t get desperate at Barcelona because I always had the mindset of continuing to improve, knowing from the beginning that it would be difficult.”
The midfielder was also asked about his experience with Xavi while at Barcelona, to which he replied:
“In general, he doesn’t talk a lot with the players either. It’s true that his brother and the staff were very close. I know that both they and the coach and the delegate are keeping an eye on what Eric García and I are doing at Girona.”
Satisfaction with Girona, adapting at new clubs
Torre joined Girona this season to have quality minutes and to develop further as a player but he has yet to nail down a starting spot in his new club. However, he was quite happy with the choice of his club and his new team’s performances up to now:
“It’s an ambitious project, very good, and with a great coach. You can already see what we’re achieving. I hope we continue with this trend of results. I’m very happy and getting minutes. We need to keep going like this.”
Lastly, the midfielder also named the players who helped him adapt first at Barcelona and then at Girona:
“Jordi Alba was like a godfather in Barcelona, and now the young players are coming together more. I would say Miguel Gutiérrez, who even came from Real Madrid (smiles). He was one of the first to welcome me, and when Eric García arrived, I tried to integrate him in the same way.”
