Filipe Luis Can Make Atletico Madrid Title Contenders Again After Chelsea Move

A left-back can't win you the title on his own. If Atletico Madrid lift La Liga at the end of this season, it won't just be Filipe Luis that inspired it.

Impressive signings, like Jackson Martinez, Luciano Vietto and Stefan Savic, among others, combined with a brilliant and motivational manager in Diego Simeone, have given people reason to believe the Rojiblancos will be strong this season.

They won the title in 2014 and after losing several key players, including Filipe, Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea, Atletico struggled to reach the same levels last season.

However, now they have started to rebuild and that includes the return of Filipe to the Vicente Calderon, after a disappointing spell in west London. While other factors will also be important in determining Atletico's season, this is one of the biggest.

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The Brazilian defender never became a favourite of Jose Mourinho, who preferred to use the outstanding Cesar Azpilicueta there and keep Branislav Ivanovic as his muscle man on the other flank.

Having been a key part of Atletico's title success the previous year, it looked like Filipe was going to be a smash hit at Chelsea.

But the imperious form of Azpilicueta kept him out of the side. Well, that and Mourinho preferring the defensive stability of the Spaniard in comparison to Filipe's swashbuckling style down the left flank.

He is an excellent defender too, though, as demonstrated under Simeone at Atletico in the 2013-14 season, when he helped them keep several shut-outs as part of a brilliant back line.

But where Filipe really excels is in his attacking movement, as he demonstrated in the season opener at home against Las Palmas.

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Atletico won 1-0, thanks to Antoine Griezmann's goal, but Filipe was a constant threat down his wing and nearly managed to find the net himself on two occasions.

It looked like he hadn't ever left the club, slotting in so comfortably alongside Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez and Juanfran, as Simeone's side kept the first of what could be many clean sheets this season.

Atletico's problem last season often seemed to be that they lacked dynamism up front and Guilherme Siqueira didn't really contribute from left-back with any real consistency.

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According to Marca, the club are looking to move Filipe's compatriot on, though they would also be open to letting him continue at the club.

The Spanish newspaper wrote: "It should be noted that Diego Simeone would not be adverse to retaining the Brazilian's services, given that the competition for a place would be positive for Filipe Luis, but financial logic dictates that parting with a reserve full-back for a sizable fee makes sense and remains the priority."

Filipe seems delighted to be back in red and white and showed off with a couple of backheels during the Las Palmas clash, as well as several incisive runs forward that the defence found tough to handle.

He recently said "I hope I can retire at Atletico," per Goal, which shows he has realised he is perfect for the tactical setup Simeone uses.

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Although his primary function as a left-back is to defend, his gallivanting runs have helped to completely overrun teams. That includes Chelsea, against whom he impressed in the 2013-14 Champions League semi-final.

Perhaps it was that tie that convinced Roman Abramovich to get his wallet out, although his eventual stay at Chelsea proved to be only a year long.

Luckily for Atletico, it seems Filipe is picking up straight from where he left off.

He is someone they can trust both at the back and when defences need to be unlocked, and if Simeone's side go on to win the title, you can bet Filipe will have more than played his part.