Jackson Martinez Must Improve Fast to Spearhead Atletico Madrid Title Challenge

Jackson Martinez joined Atletico Madrid in the summer as one of their most expensive signings in history, but the Colombia international hasn't yet made the transition from Liga NOS to La Liga a smooth one.

At Porto, he was the main man, leading the attack and firing in over 20 league goals a season to capture the attentions of some of Europe's biggest clubs; and the plan was for him to do the same for Atleti.

His power, pace and lethal range of finishing made him look an ideal capture—but as the striker himself has noted, he hasn't hit the heights just yet.

After being linked with a move away from Atletico, Jackson told Radio MARCA (via Marca):

"

The support from the fans is something really positive for me. Seeing the way people are backing me, as well as my teammates and the coaching staff, all that helps me to do my best. I'm going to keep fighting to the end. The idea of leaving next season hasn't crossed my mind, despite what's been said.

My mind is set on giving my all for Atletico and repaying the support I'm receiving. I'll stay for as long as the club wants me. Obviously everyone knows that it all depends on results, though.

"

His willingness to stay and fight is essentially a minimum requirement for a Diego Simeone side, but what Atleti really need from Jackson is for him to start finding the back of the net on a regular basis.

Struggles

The big issue for the new No. 11 is simple: not enough end product.

Three goals in 15 games is a poor return considering he has started two-thirds of those games, and even when paired with another forward—usually Antoine Griezmann—he will often be seen waiting and walking around rather than attempting to create space or a through-ball opportunity.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

At Porto, Jackson was used to having the ball played into him early when he dropped deep, letting others move alongside and around him to offer support, or else played quickly behind the defence for him to use his pace to run onto.

At Atletico, it's neither at times; a counter-attack style is in place, sometimes from high up the pitch, sometimes from the edge of their own penalty box, and this seems to hamper the amount Jackson gets involved in the build-up play.

The same Radio Marca interview saw him admit: "I'm trying to do my job in every match as part of a team effort and I've gradually been getting used to the style. It's true that I've not been as prolific as we might have hoped."

That's certainly been the case so far, but Jackson has played out a third of the campaign now and Atleti really need him to make a big impact over remaining portion.

Immediate Return

In September, manager Diego Simeone spoke to UEFA.com and gave a rare insight as to what he wanted from the forward.

He said:

"

Jackson is a finisher. He's also very strong in the air and good with both feet. He's a bit older than the likes of Angel Correa, Griezmann and Vietto. He has a few years' more experience and that's what we need: people who are ready to play. He can put on the Atleti shirt and play.

We have competition for places here with Fernando Torres and now Luciano too. All the players like to compete, which is great for us.

I hope and want Jackson to have a great season because that would definitely mean the team and the club will have a great season.

"

Finisher, experience, ready to play.

That's what Atletico signed the Colombian for big money for amid all the other early-20s arrivals and squad members: He was already at his peak, already proven, able to hit the ground running. They needed him to come in and immediately fire.

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Getting used to a new style (and league, and team) is a reasonable request, but for some players it happens faster than others and Atletico gambled Jackson could be one of those players.

Where Luciano Vietto, Angel Correa or Yannick Carrasco have years ahead of them to improve, Jackson is already 29. This is his prime.

If he can't make an immediate impact at the Vicente Calderon, he's essentially of little value to Atletico—the other younger forwards are technically better, have more time to learn the game and could surpass Jackson by the time he gets to grips with the way to play at the club.

The style of play isn't going to change, so he needs to.

"

. @JesusGamez02, about the style of play: "We know the path to follow and what gives us results." #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/Nh8FkVEzEe

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 12, 2015"

Options

It's not all over and done for Jackson by any means. In the modern Atleti squad, Griezmann is, perhaps, viewed as the most highly prized asset in the market; scoring goals and creating in equal measure and worth a hefty fee if Atletico cash in at some point.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

A year ago, though? He had just lost against old club Real Sociedad, having played only the last five minutes off the bench, and he had just two Liga goals to his name in 11 appearances. They both came against Cordoba, who would go on to finish bottom by a mile.

Despite that slow start, Griezmann went on to finish with 22 Liga goals and a reputation growing almost as fast as his goal return did after the new year.

At the beginning of the season, we profiled Jackson's move to Atletico here on B/R and suggested 15 goals in La Liga would be a reasonable target in his debut season, always assuming that came alongside performances which helped out the team in other ways.

To even hit that mark, he clearly needs to up his rate of return. Most importantly, he needs to start providing the team with the outlet runs and movement off the ball to help with creativity.

If he doesn't, there are two or three others in the squad with him who could end up the season as the first-choice partner for Griezmann.

Follow @karlmatchett