How Simeone’s side could line up next season with possible new signings.
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It has been a summer of big change at Atletico Madrid so far in this transfer window, with some big names leaving as expected, but with manager Diego Simeone also doing well so far to replace his departing stars.
With Diego Costa and Filipe Luis both signing for Chelsea and leaving big holes upfront and at left-back for the Spanish champions, Simeone has done well to act fast and bring in like-for-like replacements in those areas. Meanwhile, loan signing Thibaut Courtois has been replaced in goal after he spent three years at the Vicente Calderon before winning a place in the Chelsea first-team squad this year.
There could yet be further transfer business with the Stamford Bridge club, with talk emerging today of a possible swap deal between the two clubs, while Atletico are also said to be keen on a few more Premier League stars, which could make an intriguing new starting eleven made up of as many as eight new signings.
Goalkeeper and defence:
Pictured above, Brazilian left-back Guilherme Siqueira has come in from Granada after a season on loan at Benfica to replace Filipe Luis in that position. The 28-year-old has proven himself to be a top-class full-back with his performances in La Liga and Portugal, and he has previously attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. Joining him in defence are new goalkeeper Jan Oblak, also signed from Benfica, and the possible signing of Villarreal centre-back Mateo Musacchio, who has been attracting plenty of interest this summer after his fine performances in La Liga. Atletico are one of a number of clubs to have been linked with him, but they could face competition from Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur. Still, with Miranda possibly set to be the next big name to leave as Chelsea eye another raid on Simeone’s side, the Argentine could make a fine replacement alongside Diego Godin.
Midfield:
According to reports today, Atletico could have almost an entirely new midfield on show next season, with Simeone thought to be targeting the likes of Arsenal star Santi Cazorla to come in. The club will be delighted with Koke signing a new contract and he will likely keep his place in the centre, perhaps with Cazorla partnering him, with plenty of competition for places out wide. The departure of Miranda to Chelsea could also see Andre Schurrle come in, as it is thought that the Blues would be willing to offer the German World Cup winner to the Spanish champions as part of any deal. French attacker Antoine Griezmann was signed from Real Sociedad earlier this week and is sure to be a star of this new side, taking up a role on the right-hand side.
Attack:
Atletico may succeed in replacing Diego Costa with two new strikers this summer, with Mario Mandzukic already coming in from Bayern Munich, and Manchester United man Javier Hernandez possibly set to follow. The out-of-favour Mexican international is one of a number of Premier League-based targets for Atletico this summer, and his eye for goal could be of great benefit for the Spanish champions as they look to replace the influence of their leading scorer from last term. In a classic big-man-little-man front two, Mandzukic and Hernandez look a suitable partnership here in this classic 4-4-2 formation.
Atletico Madrid new-look XI in full: