Early Atletico Madrid Transfer Business Hints at More Offensive Style
Not even midway through July, Atletico Madrid's squad already shows some notable changes to the way it ended last season.
A third-place finish in the defence of their Liga title and a Champions League quarter-final exit meant a first campaign in four without a major trophy being lifted—although the Supercopa win at the start of 2014-15 did take Atleti's silverware-winning streak to six consecutive seasons.
Nonetheless, by the end of May there was little doubt that a gap had developed between Atletico and their city rivals Real, as well as Barcelona of course, who went on to win the treble. Atletico's eventual battle was actually in fending off Valencia for third place, rather than challenging the top two in the final weeks this time.
A change or two were always likely, but the transfers made so far could point to manager Diego Simeone readying his team to be more offensive-minded, more proactive in creating and taking their own chances and gunning once more for major success.
All Change Attack
Just one year and 12 Liga goals after arriving, Mario Mandzukic is on his way back out of the Vicente Calderon. Having featured for less than 2,000 minutes (per WhoScored) in league play, a succession of reasons meant the Croatian didn't have the impact hoped of last season, from minor injuries to not working hard enough and the return, and reasonable resurgence, of Fernando Torres.
In to take his place comes Jackson Martinez from Porto and Luciano Vietto from Villarreal. The duo scored a combined 33 league strikes last term and will add considerable firepower to Atletico's attack, with Torres, Antoine Griezmann, Raul Jimenez and Angel Correa also all available—though at least one of the latter two may leave, if not both.
Either way, it's still a strikeforce with the pace, power and technique to create plenty of chances itself, not just on the counter-attack or from set pieces but also in open play. The added movement of Martinez and Vietto should provide many more opportunities for incisive passes, as well as good link play from the latter.
Build-Up
Simeone's side have always been a threat on the break, trapping opposition teams high up the field with their own deep, compact midfield line and then great desire to break forward after winning the ball. At times last season, though, we saw Atleti become too entrenched in this battle-first approach, which led to an isolated sole figure up front at times and too many big games where the concentration was on not losing, rather than winning.
In a league where close to 80 percent of matches being won is almost a requisite to win the title, wins rather than not being defeated should be the primary objective if the title is an aim.
To that end, Atleti could see a change in their overall approach after the departure of the hard working, talented but sometimes restricted Arda Turan.
A clever and pacy wide threat is a must-sign now for Simeone's side, but not only to replace Turan—also to let Koke fully off the leash in the centre of midfield. In many big games last season he was shifted infield and while injured his absence in ball retention and use was evident. Gabi is off the pace compared to the levels he showed in the title-winning season and, while Tiago had a huge renaissance last term, Koke should still be the one this team is built around.
Add in Oli Torres, Saul Niguez and potentially Correa and there are plenty of scheming young attackers who could operate from one side without sacrificing hard work. A replacement for Turan on the other and Koke in the centre of the park could raise Atletico's game a level or two in chance creation for their new-look strike force.
Future Deals
Looking at the other end of the pitch quickly, sales of Toby Alderweireld and Miranda have left Atletico with three central defenders, all impressive, dominant in their own ways and, randomly, Uruguayan. Emiliano Velazquez has headed back to Getafe on loan once again though, so cover for Diego Godin and Josema Gimenez is paramount. Antonio Rudiger is one candidate, per Sky Deutschland (h/t Marca).
Other than that, President Enrique Cerezo states (per Marca) that "top players" will be coming to the club, adding:
"Many deals are close, but there are times when you're so close that you could actually get further away. We're still working on them and are trying to make a very good, competitive team that can fight for everything that Atletico have to fight for."
One of those looks to be Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, with the Monaco winger a prime example of one who could perfectly fill the wide midfield slots. Marca report him as close to a move to Atletico.
There is a long way to go before the season starts, in terms of integrating the new faces and rebuilding the Atletico style of play, but as captain Gabi has said, Atleti reinvent themselves season after season. If Simeone can reinvent his side to play somewhat more adventurously at times this coming campaign, the added quality and depth in attack could ensure that silverware returns once more to Atletico—a seventh consecutive season if they manage to win something in 2015-16.
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
