Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid captain Koke talks future and retirement plans: “We will see what happens”
It is very difficult to find a one-club player in today’s modern and fast-moving world of football. While it is rare enough to hear of a player willing to commit his entire career to one institution, Lionel Messi’s story with Barcelona proves that sometimes even that is not enough.
That is what makes the story of Koke and Atletico Madrid special. The Spanish midfielder has been with the club through thick and thin, right from the tender age of six.
Now at 30, questions about his future are in the air. There has been a lot of speculation around whether or not Koke will end his career at the same club where he has played all his life. The Atletico Madrid captain responded to the speculation recently in an interview with DAZN.
“My idea has always been to retire here [at Atletico Madrid] but we will see what happens when my contract ends.
“I have two years left, this one and another, and my idea is to stay here. I don’t know what will happen, whatever has to come, welcome,” he said.
The midfielder signed a seven-year contract extension with Los Rojiblancos in 2017 and will be 32 years of age when his deal runs out in 2024.
While he is still the heart of the team’s midfield and going strong, the club may wish to make the inevitable transition to a younger midfield soon.
This season, Koke has participated in all eight games for his club, starting in seven. In that duration, he has racked up one assist and averaged close to eight defensive actions per game.
The 30-year-old is set to achieve a special milestone in Los Rojiblancos’ fixture against Sevilla on Saturday. At the Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan, he will put on the red-and-white colours for the 554th time, making him the player with the most appearances in Atletico Madrid’s history.
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.
