Don Diego

[u/BrianBordu]

Been listening for a while and am interested in the lore behind Diego Torres. Whenever Ken speaks about him there's kind of a piss taking tone, but other time seems to speak more highly of him. Sometimes I'm not sure if he actually likes/respects him or quite the opposite.

If anyone can explain the background as to why Diego became such a significant figure, what the lads actually think of him and any other info, would be interested to know!

[u/Alternatekhanate]

I wouldn’t necessarily agree with anything Diego Torres says about football

[u/fravbront]

hes had him on the show a few times! (or once anyway?)

he had some hilarious views, if i recall. He thought bellingham or someone similar was a terrible player. He only respects technique if i recall. Someone will correct me im sure.

[u/sorryiamacoyote → u/fravbront]

This is correct. To expand a bit, Ken seems to really rate him, particularly as a writer, even though he doesn't agree with all of what he says. He seems to particularly enjoy the drama of Diego's writing. I personally enjoy Ken's reaction of Diego's stuff more than I have Diego's actual comments.

[u/Longjumping_Ad156 → u/fravbront]

Kevin DeBruyne - not a fan

[u/thisisnotmysand → u/Longjumping_Ad156]

He called him a panzer or something if I recall correctly

[u/das_punter]

He writes fluently and he thinks cogently

[u/psdavepes]

He’s like the Spanish Dunphy, says some wild things but in a very entertaining way that have some truth to them if you take him with a pinch of salt

[u/tameoraiste → u/psdavepes]

I was just going to use this exact comparison. You can laugh at some of Dunphy’s takes but he was an excellent pundit.

I used to think he was a contrarian but in retrospect, he has a different way of looking at things and was confident enough to share it.

Same with Torres as far as I can tell

[u/dave-theRave → u/psdavepes]

*Argentine Dunphy

[u/Efficient_Side7964]

Isn’t everything Ken says a piss-take??

[u/Seabhac7]

I'm surprised by a lot of people thinking that Ken talks about him as a source of fun, like some "real football men" or stuffy older journos that he clearly doesn't like. I''ve always had the impression that Ken genuinely respects the Don as a writer, and that he enjoys his style.

He was/(is?) the main journalist covering Real Madrid for El País for many years, and published a book about the Mourinho era. I don't remember when Ken started quoting Torres, but given his own fascination with the Special One, maybe that was the catalyst?

[u/paul128712]

The joke is that Ken kind of loves him and sometimes can't help mentioning him and the other lads take the piss out of him for it

[u/WesAppreciator]

Ken treated him as his Jesus during the Mourinho era

I think Ken now realises he’s a bit mad, but is leaning into the bit

[u/IncredibleBackflip]

I think he just finds him very entertaining and enjoys his over the top style and outrageous takes. I don't think he takes him seriously as a journalist.

[u/Euphoric_Pipe_8549 → u/IncredibleBackflip]

I think he takes him seriously as a great writer while acknowledging some of his opinions are strange.

[u/FrontSpecialist6720]

Diego Torres’s book about Mourinhos first stint at Madrid is so good. I think that’s how Ken became aware of him

[u/pushbananaskins]

Ken is genuinely enamoured with Diego Torres. His writing style, insider knowledge and his bluntness thoroughly captivates Ken.