Grading Atletico Madrid on Their 2015 Summer Transfer Window Dealings

Transfer deadline day passed in La Liga on Monday night, and while Real Madrid were left cursing and apportioning blame everywhere they could over a failed move for David De Gea, the keeper's former side and Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid were sat comfortably after a fantastic summer of work.

Most of Atleti's work was done early on, with just one late incoming and one outgoing deal to wrap up in the final days following the start of the new league season.

With a title challenge a realistic possibility and a 100 percent start to the season from their first two games, let's take this week's international break as a first chance to assess exactly what Atleti got right and wrong in the market and score their work overall.

Defensive blocks

Atleti had an overhaul of sorts in terms of the supporting cast of the defence, but in reality the starting back four is full of familiar faces. Filipe Luis is of course a new addition, having signed from Chelsea, though he won La Liga with Atleti in his first stint with the club. Still, left-back was a problem area last year, and this is a big upgrade for Diego Simeone.

Out from that role went Emi Insua and Cristian Ansaldi, while Guilherme Siqueira ended up staying at the club despite speculation earlier in the summer that he would be offloaded.

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A Bola: Benfica and Atletico Madrid still negotiating over Siqueira with transfer deadline looming.

— PortugueseSoccer.com (@PsoccerCOM) August 30, 2015"

Centrally, Miranda and Toby Alderweireld were sold, and Emiliano Velazquez returned for a second year-long loan spell at Getafe. The incoming player in that area was Stefan Savic, from Fiorentina.

Savic is a departure in terms of style from Atleti's usual centre-backs; he is much more agile and quick-footed rather than aggressive and uncompromising. It remains to be seen whether he'll fit in with the defend-at-all-costs approach that Josema Gimenez and Diego Godin display—he hasn't yet featured in La Liga.

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Javi Manquillo also departed on loan.

Grade: A-. Performance will depend in part on how well Savic complements one of the two first-choice centre-backs when he gets his chance, but the first-choice back four is exceptional, and there is tremendous depth across the defence.

Midfield moves

Thomas Partey returned from loan and has remained part of Atleti's squad for this upcoming season, though he won't feature too heavily in all likelihood. He's up against Gabi, Tiago and Koke for a central spot.

It looked for some time as though Thiago Motta would be another addition, but the Paris Saint-Germain man eventually stayed in place and Atleti sealed a deal for Matias Kranevitter.

The young Argentine midfielder will not join up with his new team until December, after the World Club Cup is over and done with. 

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CLOSED! Kranevitter is now an Atlético. He will join the club in late December. Welcome! http://t.co/3H9vzHprO7 pic.twitter.com/z21DPz9Nkh

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) August 28, 2015"

On the flanks, Koke and Oliver Torres—another player returning from loan—have started the season in fine form, with Saul and new signing Yannick Ferreira Carrasco providing competition. Carrasco should be an excellent addition with his pace and direct running being a real outlet and counter-attack threat for Atletico, though they are all four young players without huge experience at the top level, aside from Koke.

And so here is the late disappointment: Raul Garcia joined Athletic Bilbao on deadline day after being concerned about playing too few minutes this season. The versatile midfielder brought a huge array of talents to this Atleti side, even when not starting. Make no mistake: He will be a loss.

To judge the impact the established midfielder had on the squad, you need only see the appreciation for him by his team-mates and the club in general as he departed:

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As the chairman has said, the '8' of Raúl García will go down in the club's history. #ThanksRaúl pic.twitter.com/zVP7ddFO3v

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) September 1, 2015"

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Raúl has left an indelible impression in the team, which has wanted to to be with him in his farewell. #ThanksRaúl pic.twitter.com/tDT2MDUy3U

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) September 1, 2015"

Arda Turan left for big money, Mario Suarez left as part of the Savic deal and Cristian Rodriguez headed out on a free transfer, but Atleti will feel they improved in this area overall—especially considering Oliver's start to the season. Bernard Mensah also joined before heading back out on loan immediately—he's one for the future.

Grade: B. It was almost perfect, but it's a gamble to let Raul Garcia leave. A key area of the team, tactically and mentally, is just slightly lacking in experienced, aggressive heads for Simeone now.

Attacking additions

No question marks or worries here—Atletico strengthened their attack heavily over the summer. Mario Mandzukic didn't turn out to be the best fit and was swiftly sent packing to Juventus, but his replacement, Jackson Martinez, already looks an exciting addition.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Then there's Luciano Vietto, an outrageously talented player who will be given the platform to improve this year and will no doubt go on to become a huge part of the team over the next few seasons. For now, he'll be an impact and rotation option, but the Argentine forward can score goals, too—as can Angel Correa, who is now part of the team after recovering from last year's surgery.

Raul Jimenez is out, and Borja Baston is on loan, but both developments are basically irrelevant at this point, as Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres are still in place. 

Grade: A. Atleti's attack is a fearsome combination indeed, and no matter the personnel or formation that Simeone uses, he has goals and creativity throughout the final third which can push the team toward success.

Overall

Grade: A-. It's hard to see what more Atleti could have done other than perhaps add another experienced player in midfield—but if Kranevitter settles well after the winter window, that won't matter. The centre-back concern was the only point of contention over the incoming deals...until Raul Garcia's exit. That could yet be pivotal in terms of experience and aggression, but it's a superb summer nonetheless.

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