How Much Is Mario Mandzukic Worth Based on Form This Season?

The importance of Mario Mandzukic to Atletico Madrid in the first part of this season has been huge, with the team and player both having to adjust to develop new characteristics.

This is illustrated by the fact they have already purchased two new forwards in January, due to their dependence on the Croatian as a striker.

Angel Correa and Fernando Torres have joined the club, in order to give manager Diego Simeone further options.

Mandzukic hasn't been the only provider of goals, as he has been assisted by a variety of scorers including the holding midfielders and centre-backs.

The 28-year-old has had to carry the burden of leading the line, as Antoine Griezmann has taken time to settle into his new surroundings and Raul Jimenez has struggled.

Speaking at a press conference, Simeone said:

"

His enthusiasm and his ability have gelled with a team that plays in the same way.

At the start maybe he found it a bit tough but he has become more involved with each match and his relationship with his team mates is improving all the time.

He has scored important goals, like the one in the Super Cup against Real Madrid, and his statistics are very positive for a forward.

We hope he will continue to respond in the same way, and even get better.

"

Mandzukic is a natural finisher and although many will doubt his all-round ability, his main focus is to put the ball in the net.

This feat alone makes him worth a certain amount in the current transfer market, with numerous top sides struggling for a consistent goalscorer.

According to the Daily Mail, Mandzukic joined Atletico Madrid for a fee of £18 million, which is a relatively low figure for a player of his stature.

Perhaps this was due to the Bavarians' need to free up space for the arriving Robert Lewandowski and because the attacker initially struggled in Germany with Wolfsburg.

Although his strike rate in the last two years has increased dramatically, which could be partly attributed to playing in greater teams and with better coaches.

He may not have particularly suited Pep Guardiola's philosophy, but Mandzukic has clearly benefited from his time working with the Spanish coach even if they had a mixed relationship.

"Guardiola disappointed me. He didn't treat me with respect. He didn't let me become Bundesliga top scorer. Everything was twice as good under Jupp Heynckes—and that's not just my opinion," Mandzukic told Sportske Novosti (h/t Goal.com).

However, the former Barcelona manager clearly rated Mandzukic. According to Goal.com 's Alec Fenn, the Spaniard told reporters: "With his ability to head the ball inside the penalty area, Mandzukic is the best forward in the world."

This season in La Liga he has attempted 2.5 shots per game, with 1.7 of those inside the penalty area, per WhoScored.com.

He has scored 11 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Olympiakos in the Champions League.

His sublime heading ability means that any team with outstanding free-kick delivery or good crossers of the ball will benefit.

When trying to work out his value, though, this can be viewed as a hindrance because he relies on service rather than creating scoring opportunities for himself.

The forward is central to Atletico's attacking play at present, so any estimation would have to factor this into the equation.

Mandzukic is worth around £25 million, although the club would hope for a fee closer to £30 million to cash in.

Los Rojiblancos are currently in the process of building on their attack, as their recent transfer business shows.

Mandzukic is vital to Simeone, at least until Simeone has developed other suitable options within their style.