What Atletico Madrid Can Realistically Expect from Antoine Griezmann This Season

The signing of former Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann this summer by Atletico Madrid was a real coup.

Griezmann has previously attracted the attention of numerous top clubs in world football, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool particularly attentive, per Jamie Anderson of Daily Express.

The Frenchman scored 16 goals in 31 league starts for the Basque side last season, and just before the World Cup, he netted three goals in only 47 minutes of action for his country (via ESPN).

Those games with Paraguay and Jamaica were France's final preparation matches for Brazil, ensuring that Griezmann featured in every game for Didier Deschamps' side in the tournament.

Now with the champions of Spain, many expect Griezmann to enhance his reputation and develop his ability further.

La Real's counter-attacking style isn't that far away from Diego Simeone's philosophy, although there are subtle differences, and the expectation levels are now considerably higher.

It will take time for Griezmann to reach his full potential, but at just 23 years old, he can continue to grow as a player.

"I'm understanding the game. Little by little, I'm going to gain confidence," Griezmann said following the win over rivals Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon, via Goal.com.

In that match, Griezmann showed that he was capable of meeting Simone's demands and start at a fast pace, as his header to fellow new signing Mario Mandzukic was dispatched by the Croatian.

The intensity in training sessions with Simeone will be something that Griezmann is not used to, but he's certainly up for the challenge. "Hopefully I can give more," he said. "I'm very happy, happy to be at this club."

His role for Atletico is different from that at the Anoeta; he's now occupying a more central position.

Against Almeria he was mainly used as a striker, but he struggled to make an impact on the match and clearly prefers to be in behind a forward.

His relationship with Mandzukic is in its early stages, with the new boys starting only three games together.

But there are already signs that the two can link up effectively, with Mandzukic's physical presence acting as a foil for Griezmann's pace and agility.

Having already spent a year in the Champions League, he's aware of the increase in level, which showed when he lit up the match with Olympiakos.

His importance will amplify as the season progresses, but we may not see the best of him until after the winter break.

Simeone has been careful to integrate him slowly, as he has started only five out of eight possible matches and is still to complete a full 90 minutes.

The rigour and demands of the added expectancy at the club is still to be reached, although the team itself is still short of last season's standards.

He's already a fan favourite with the supporters, as they made their displeasure known after he was substituted in the 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo, via Dermot Corrigan of ESPN.

"It was something that just happened in the moment. I respect that and accept it," said his Argentine manager afterwards, and it had as much to do with the fact the fans felt it should have been Raul Jimenez leaving the pitch instead.

If Simeone can coax more than ten La Liga goals out of Griezmann, then he will be happy.

This may not be anywhere near what he achieved last term for Sociedad, but the onus is less on him due to a deeper squad.

After winning the title, Simeone knows more than most that the team comes first, and that will suit Griezmann as he comes to terms with playing for one of Europe's elite sides.