Ranking Atletico Madrid's Attacking Options on Their Goalscoring Threat
Atletico Madrid's attacking half of the squad got an overhaul in the summer, with three big-money arrivals and a few younger faces becoming part of the first-team scene having been on loan last year.
We've selected the most offensive-minded part of the squad to rank on their ability to hit the back of the net, based on performances so far this season. We have also taken into account their accepted levels of quality in the final third from previous campaigns, their relative strengths on the ball and how much time they spend on the pitch.
The six players chosen are all scorers rather than purely creators (although some serve a dual function), so the likes of Koke or Oliver Torres don't figure in the ranking, despite being key parts of Atleti's midfield line.
6. Fernando Torres
1 of 6
Minutes played: 571
Goals scored: Two
The crowd-rouser and poster boy, Atletico's biggest hero still serves a big purpose at the club and has largely performed well when called upon this season—but goalscoring is no longer his biggest trait.
Fernando Torres is certainly still capable of putting the ball in the back of the net and has two in La Liga this season. But he is battling for a place against Jackson Martinez, and in terms of minutes on the pitch, it's a battle he'll lose.
There's no reason to think Torres can't push for double figures over all competitions if he goes on a bit of a streak. But if others stay fit, his time will stay limited to third or fourth place in terms of the four centre-forwards.
We'll rank him sixth out of the six options, but it's more down to game time than inability.
5. Yannick Carrasco
2 of 6
Minutes played: 479
Goals scored: Two
Having taken a couple of months to work his way into the team, Yannick Carrasco is now one of the current keys of the Atletico side. He represents a very different prospect to the other midfielders with his acceleration, dribbling and end product around the penalty box.
The 22-year-old is capable of being perhaps third on this list in terms of ability and how often he tries to go for goal. The only thing stopping Carrasco being a 12- or 15-goal a season man at the moment is inexperience—his decision-making can fluctuate, and it's natural he'll have a poor run of form at some point, likely leading to him dropping out of the team for a spell.
Even so, over the season, he'll be one of Atletico's most important players. And the longer he stays fit and in form, the more chances he'll create for himself and others.
4. Angel Correa
3 of 6
Minutes played: 412
Goals scored: Two
The Argentinian forward is a little like Carrasco in that he can provide goals from the second line of attack, though his best position looks to be just off the front player where he can work between the lines.
Because he gets to feature in that role further forward occasionally, we're ranking him slightly higher than Carrasco—that's where his goals have come from so far.
Correa has the physicality and the aggression to go with his technique and unpredictable dribbling, as well as power in the shot.
Like most young forwards, the 20-year-old lacks the maturity in his game to alter his own tempo at times, but he can have a big impact for Atleti as the season goes on.
3. Luciano Vietto
4 of 6
Minutes played: 210
Goals scored: One
Luciano Vietto has been pretty poor up until now for Atletico Madrid, scoring just the once so far—in his last appearance before illness as he salvaged a point against Real Madrid.
His time at Villarreal shows what a good player he can be, though, and there's every reason to suspect he'll be a big hit over time.
For this year, we're still predicting the 21-year-old will go on a run of form in front of goal to make him chase the top-scorers list at the club—and that could even start this weekend if he's selected to start, having recovered fully and with Jackson Martinez injured on international duty.
Vietto is great at arriving late into the area and is composed with his finishing; a couple of goals falling his way could kick-start his time at Atleti in a big way.
2. Jackson Martinez
5 of 6
Minutes played: 769
Goals scored: Three
Much more is expected of Jackson Martinez, and we recently detailed just why Atletico are relying on him to fire this season.
Some players only get a year to prove their worth after making the jump, and Jackson surely doesn't want to tread the same path as his predecessor Mario Mandzukic: a big-money arrival, a largely forgettable season and quickly moved on again.
Jackson, 29, has all the tools to succeed, but his movement off the ball is below par. He also has to be more consistent with the chances which come his way.
The Valencia match showed all that is great and problematic about the Colombian: He took one chance with power and cool finishing, then missed a very presentable chance to double his tally soon after. Those goals have to go in.
If he fires, he's easily capable of hitting 20 in all competitions. So far, three is not enough—even though that still leaves him as second-highest scorer in the squad.
1. Antoine Griezmann
6 of 6
Minutes played: 1,273
Goals scored: Seven
The top scorer now, the top scorer last season and Atleti's most dangerous all-round forward by far.
Pace, close control on the dribble, a searing shot and predatory instincts inside the penalty area have made Antoine Griezmann an outstanding success as a centre-forward. Add in his work rate, his understanding of how the team plays and it's not hard to see why he's the main man.
The consistency in front of goal hasn't been there all the time this season, but the French forward has also seen his position changed a few times due to injuries. Keep him up front and the goals will continue to roll, that's clear.
He'll top score for Atleti with ease this term and probably for as long as they elect to keep him.
