Why Atletico Madrid Must Stand Firm in Face of Transfer Interest in Koke

A youth-team product. A fan favourite. A Diego Simeone type. An Atletico Madrid guy through and through. 

Invariably, when you discuss Koke's importance to his club, Atletico Madrid, those are the sorts of things that are brought up. Before a single skill-based attribute of the Spaniard is mentioned, before any achievements are highlighted, it's his connection to the club and what he represents that is put forward. 

Of course, it's understandable. Natural, too. Fans, managers, coaching staff: They all love a homegrown talent and the idealism such players represent. They give a football club an identity. A soul. Regional roots. 

And Koke, born in Madrid and an Atletico player since the age of eight, has recently represented that more than anyone at the Vicente Calderon—well, until the return of Fernando Torres. 

Yet, the thing about focusing on the romanticism of a player being at "home" at his childhood club is that it sometimes means the true extent of the star's talent is glossed over somewhat. The preoccupation with the symbolism means the player's pure footballing qualities aren't acknowledged in the same way as those of others.  

Though his passing might get a mention, it's his background that seems to carry more weight. Though his positional awareness is elite, it's his appreciation of those in the stands that earns him reciprocal adulation. 

That peculiarity is often the case for Koke. Yes, he is a youth-team product, a fan favourite, a Diego Simeone type and an Atletico Madrid guy through and through. 

But even if he were without those things, he'd still be incredibly valuable to Atleti for the simple reason that he's an absolutely outstanding footballer. Even if you strip all the emotive aspects away, you're still left with one of Spain's—and Europe's—leading midfielders.

Sometimes, that's forgotten a little. 

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Simeone has never forgotten, though; he's regularly cited Koke's quality.

"You all know what Koke and Arda provide us with—creativity, talent and the fact they are used to our style of play and also the variety we have with them on the pitch," the Argentinian said recently, as his team prepared to face Celta Vigo without its homegrown star. 

Indeed, the 23-year-old's absence—like such stretches tend to do—highlighted the true extent of his influence on this Atletico team. 

Without him, they were overrun centrally—by Celta, Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla. With Koke missing from his position on the left, Gabi and Tiago looked sluggish in the middle. Arda Turan was the lone creator on the right. The forwards lacked his support as a runner. And the whole side looked short on raw talent. 

Upon his return, he thundered home Atletico's opener against Valencia as Los Colchoneros compiled their best collective performance for a month. The difference with him in the lineup was profound. 

Naturally, Koke is in demand. 

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

According to the Daily Star, Premier League trio Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea want to prise the Spaniard away from the Vicente Calderon. The Daily Express expanded upon that, suggesting Manchester City and Chelsea are prepared to meet the midfielder's £48 million release clause. 

It's no surprise England's big clubs are lurking. Last summer, Koke revealed that La Liga giants Barcelona had made a strong push for his services. 

His response then? Per AS, (h/t Goal), this:

"

The truth is that part of me said it was difficult to say no to Barca but I wanted to continue at home for many years at Atletico.

It wasn’t time to leave. This is my home, where I feel wanted and the club didn’t need to sell. How was I going to leave at the best time for Atletico?

It’s not easy to say no to Barca and their interest was appreciated. It means the work I’ve done has paid off. But I’m at home here.

"

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

It's why the fans love him. But his importance now goes beyond the homegrown stuff, beyond the certain purity he represents. 

As explained here, Atletico are entering a new phase in their history: A new stadium is being constructed, a stadium management deal has been struck, Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group has purchased a 20 percent stake in the club for £34.5 million and La Liga looks to be gradually edging toward a centralised TV rights model that would benefit Atletico. 

Though there are no guarantees, such developments leave Atletico looming as a club facing a period of financial growth. The "project," as Simeone describes it, is beginning to take shape. That can be seen in the Argentinian's pursuit of Edinson Cavani, as reported by L'Equipe and relayed by Ian Holyman of ESPN FC. 

But as changes occur, as the club looks to progress, a stabilising on-field leader is needed. One who can lead Atletico for the better part of the next decade while providing a sense of continuity amid the club's push to become a major player in European football. 

Koke is that guy. 

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"Koke is an extraordinary footballer," said Barcelona great Xavi last year. "He has everything: talent, physical ability, he is a footballer of the present and the future. He has been marked out as the conductor of Spain's orchestra for the next 10 years."

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque agrees: "Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso are part of history. The new, as in the case of Koke, will sustain our midfield," the former Real Madrid boss remarked. 

Atletico Madrid don't need to look for the cornerstone of their team; they've already got him. They're already in possession of a gifted midfielder, one with poise, vision, inner drive and an appetite for the battle. A 23-year-old who has stood alongside the great midfielders of Spain's golden generation and not only looked comfortable but also shown he can be a successor. 

It almost goes without saying, but Atletico simply have to keep him. And luckily for the club, he appears to relish the essence of his footballing home.

"It's a feeling, you know," he said, per UEFA, when asked about what makes Atletico different. "The way the people experience it here, I don't think it's experienced the same way at other clubs. It is hard to describe exactly what it means to be part of Atleti, but it's unique."

Koke is outstanding footballer. A possible pillar of an institution. 

It just helps that he's a youth-team product, a fan favourite, a Diego Simeone type and an Atletico Madrid guy through and through.