Atletico Madrid's Veterans Have Plenty to Prove in Final Weeks of Season

When Diego Simeone addressed the waiting media after committing to a new long-term contract with Atletico Madrid this week, he did something unusual. 

He spoke about the future. 

"Ahead of us we can look forward to a new stadium, there is a great deal of excitement," the Argentinian said, per AS, in front of a backdrop that read, "#SIMEONE2020."

"The club keeps growing," the Atleti manager continued. "I've made a decision to stay where I am and decisions are sometimes difficult to make in life. Fortunately I've been able to make this decision as I see a club that is moving forward."

It was a notable change of narrative from Simeone. Rarely, if ever, does he speak of anything more distant than his team's next match. Throughout his tenure at the Vicente Calderon, Atletico have achieved what many had deemed was impossible, but they've done so by following the unrelenting, step-by-step approach of the man in charge. 

In essence, the Argentinian's constant message has been this: Looking far ahead is for dreamers; we're realists. 

But Tuesday's press conference suggested that Simeone had spent time looking considerably further forward than normal. He's chosen to stay at Atletico not because of what's already come, but because of what could be on the road ahead.

He sees a club making strides, both on and off the pitch. And that's significant for Atletico's collection of veterans.  

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Until now, Simeone's Atletico has been built around a hardened core of experienced heads. Though the cutting edge has been provided by some outstanding younger talents, Simeone's successful mission to create an "aggressive team," one that is "strong, committed," has been founded upon men such Tiago, Gabi, Diego Godin, Miranda, Juanfran and, until this season, Filipe Luis. 

Such players have given Atleti leadership. Reliability. A chip-on-the-shoulder mentality. 

And the results, as most would acknowledge, have been remarkable. 

But times are changing at Atletico Madrid. A new stadium is being constructed. A potentially lucrative stadium management deal has been struck. The inequality of TV rights in Spain is an issue that could soon change. Champions League football is bringing in increased revenue. And the tax debts accrued from previous administrations are finally being addressed. 

Thus, Simeone's challenge in his new contract period is to take Atletico from underdogs to heavyweights. The off-field developments are expected to be reflected on the pitch—this is "a club that is moving forward."

It means we're likely to see a transition take place in the club's squad. Though Atleti aren't about to change who they are, though Simeone's ethos will be maintained, Atletico Madrid want more—they want to be faster, stronger, fitter, more durable, more dynamic, more devastating in attack. 

As such, more top-end talent is likely to be sought this summer (and beyond). Forget loan moves and free transfers, Antoine Griezmann types will increasingly become Atleti's consistent transfer targets. 

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Inevitably, such a process, that transition, is going to force some of Atletico's veterans out the door. A phase of evolution is looming for the current squad. 

Atleti have come as far as they can with that hardened core; to take the next step, more dynamism is needed. 

The team's veterans, therefore, are now competing to prove they can stay relevant amid that shift. 

Perhaps under the most pressure are Tiago and Gabi. For so long, the pair have formed Simeone's midfield shield, harassing, tackling and intercepting everything in front of them, establishing their team as one that's been a nightmare to break down. 

But both men have shown signs of slowing down this season. For the Portuguese, it's been niggling injuries; for the Spaniard, it's been a steady decline in form. 

And the reality is that Koke and Arda Turan now run the midfield—a fact made so abundantly clear when both players missed the trip to Celta Vigo and watched on as their veteran team-mates were comprehensively overrun by a team that had won just one of their last 12 league games. 

It can't be long until Simeone looks to bolster his central options. 

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

At the back, there are others facing similar situations.

Despite helping to form the most resilient centre-back pairing in Europe in 2013-14, Miranda has found himself in direct competition with the far younger and extremely promising Jose Gimenez this season.

Having endured a campaign interrupted by injury and now suspended after his red card against Espanyol, the Brazilian's time as a guaranteed starter in Atletico's XI is drawing to a close—particularly when you consider that Atleti have Toby Alderweireld and Emiliano Velazquez out on loan and Lucas Hernandez developing steadily. 

Alongside Miranda, Guilherme Siqueira, who will soon turn 29, is another who's playing for his future in the final weeks of the 2014-15 season. Unconvincing defensively as Luis' replacement, the left-back has watched right-back Jesus Gamez get used ahead of him as a makeshift option on the left a number of occasions this season. 

Of course, presently, at this stage of the season, the source of pressure on such players is internal. There's a competition within the squad that's both obvious and healthy. 

But by season's end and during the coming transfer windows in 2015-16, that pressure won't be coming from those already in the squad; it will be coming from those elsewhere who could potentially arrive at their expense. 

Thus, until June, Atletico's veterans have the chance to prove they've got something to offer in the club's growing future, in the vision Simeone has alluded to.