Why Antoine Griezmann Will Spend at Least 1 More Season at Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid continue to show a few signs of inconsistency in the first third of the new season, but the squad have the quality to go on a great run and propel themselves up toward top spot in La Liga in the coming weeks ahead of the winter break.

Part of the reason for that is their excellent French forward Antoine Griezmann, the former Real Sociedad winger who now leads Atleti's attack right through the centre.

Following on from a look at midfielder Koke and why he might linger at the Vicente Calderon for a couple more seasons yet, the next in our series considers just how valuable a commodity Griezmann is and why he, too, will remain in place over the upcoming transfer window—but could be on the move faster than Koke.

Front-Line Commodity

First and foremost, Griezmann has come to the wider attentions and acclaim of the footballing world because of his goalscoring exploits. Technically and physically, his game is the same as when he was at La Real: good acceleration, an ability to beat players one-on-one, attacking both the channels and the far post well. But now, as a centre-forward, he has shown considerable poaching ability, too.

Griezmann netted 25 in all competitions last season and largely didn't get started until December, before having an immense second half of the year. This term so far he has six in 14 in all competitions, though the personnel around him changing so much has, of course, impacted on that somewhat—while he has also featured from wide midfield again a few times on account of Koke's injury.

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Chelsea are the team most frequently linked with the French forward, though other teams are also regularly mentioned. As recently as late October, Metro cited Fichajes.net as claiming Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants the club to make a bid for the Atleti No. 7, while talkSPORT (h/t Mirror) reported both Manchester United and Real Madrid are in the frame for his signature.

Quite aside from any other reason why he'll stay put in January will be the fee. Atleti shelled out €30 million on Jackson Martinez in summer, rate Griezmann more highly than the Colombian and increased the Frenchman's release clause above €65 million just a few months ago, per AS.

Importance to Atleti

While Martinez, Fernando Torres and Angel Correa have altered roles in attack and the likes of Yannick Carrasco, Koke and Oliver Torres have all had spells in the side and in form from the flanks, Griezmann remains the absolute constant.

He is top scorer of the team again so far this season, has put in a couple of the best individual displays the team has seen and is crucial to linking midfield to front line, regardless of the position he plays. Atleti's excellent young side is capable of doing great things, both this season and beyond, and Griezmann is central to that.

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Diego Simeone, Griezmann's club manager, rates his player so highly he believes he should have been on the list of nominations for the Ballon d'Or, per ESPN FC:

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That neither Godin nor Griezmann are there is not fair, but it what those making the selection have chosen. Griezmann's season was extraordinary, and he has begun again at very high level. But this will make them keep driving themselves on. The only way to change opinions is to keep improving.

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He hasn't scored in the last handful of league games, but Griezmann was irrepressible in the vital and impressive win over Valencia recently, highlighting all the skills he brings to the team quite apart from putting the ball in the net.

Euros and Beyond

Unlike Koke, however, it is probable that Griezmann will leave at some point. He doesn't owe a huge debt of gratitude to the club for forming him as a player, even if he has stepped up a level and changed position since joining Atleti, he doesn't have a lifelong affiliation with the club and—as a versatile and capable striker—there will always be huge interest in goalscoring talents.

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The end of this season sees France take part in Euro 2016 on home soil, and it's extremely unlikely Griezmann will want to upset his chances of featuring as a starter for his nation by moving midseason when he already plays in a high-level team—in a key role—capable of winning titles this term.

Just how well Atletico do (or otherwise) and how key he is to Didier Deschamps' plans in the national team could hurry his desire to move on if the true superpowers in world football come calling in the summer after the Euros, but it still wouldn't be a surprise to see Griezmann remain at the Calderon next year, especially as he is now only in his first full season as an established centre-forward.

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