Atletico Madrid News
26-year-old Atletico Madrid ace left out of squad for Leverkusen clash due to fresh injury
Atletico Madrid named their squad for the trip to Germany as they gear up to take on Bayer Leverkusen in the second Group B encounter of the UEFA Champions League this week.
Jan Oblak has been included in the travelling squad despite there being some doubts over his involvement. But there have been a few exclusions made by manager Diego Simeone due to injuries and fitness issues.
Stefan Savic and Sergio Reguilon have been absent for a while now and are not in the squad flying to Germany. Apart from them, Jose Maria Gimenez is also absent after missing the weekend encounter against Celta Vigo.
Apart from the trio, there is a fresh absentee for Atletico Madrid as Thomas Lemar has also been left out of the list of players flying to Germany for the Bayer Leverkusen encounter.
Reporting on the 26-year-old Frenchman’s absence, journalist Belen Sanchez Garcia has claimed that he has been left out of the squad due to a strong contracture he picked up during the game against Celta Vigo this past Saturday.
Lemar has already missed a game this season due to a muscle injury and will now be unavailable for a crucial tie against Leverkusen away from home.
So far, the Frenchman has played five times in all competitions and has registered one assist. While he is not a certain starter for Simeone, Lemar does add value to the team with his versatile nature and attacking intent.
But the Rojiblancos will have to make do without the ex-Monaco ace at the BayArena.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
