Atletico Madrid News
Diego Simeone on Atletico Madrid future: “This doesn’t end today”
Diego Simeone is a legend at Atletico Madrid, after having achieved great success with the club as the manager. However, his position has started to come under scrutiny of late due to the team underperforming this season.
Indeed, Atletico already look well off behind rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona in the La Liga title race. On top of that, their recent 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen meant that they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage.
With third place in Group B still up for grabs, they are not yet certain of a place in the Europa League either. All this has led to questions over whether Simeone’s time at the Civitas Metropolitano is coming to an end.
The Argentine tactician was posed the same question in the pre-match press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid’s La Liga encounter against Cadiz.
In response, Simeone said (h/t MARCA): “I don’t think about anything other than what lies ahead. ‘I don’t care what they think of me,’ said a great Spanish writer, I think the same. This doesn’t end today.”
The Atletico Madrid manager was also quizzed about the clip of Joao Felix partying after the team’s elimination from the Champions League this week, to which he replied:
“Nothing to say about his private life, if I have something to say I would say it to him. I’m not talking about anyone, they are internal things. We have to keep working, we have a group of five very good offensive players, and all five have the chance to play.”
The elimination from the Champions League means that Atletico will miss out on around €15-20 million, which could force them into player sales in January or the summer.
On the prospect of having to offload stars to achieve economic balance, Simeone said: “We have reinvented ourselves many times, no one is untouchable. I remember that when the 2014 League ended, a lot left, when the greats left, the team reinvented itself and there is no one untouchable.”
Sofyan Amrabat is a player in demand, with the midfielder reportedly a top target for various clubs during the January transfer window, as confirmed by his brother.
However, Atletico Madrid are also keeping tabs on the Moroccan international, with the club said to be interested in bringing him to Wanda Metropolitano.
According to Foot Mercato, Amrabat is keen on moving to La Liga, and Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs that he admires. The midfielder had previously praised Atleti boss Diego Simeone, further fueling speculation of a potential move to the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid’s interest in Amrabat comes in the midst of uncertainty over the future of Axel Witsel.
The Fiorentina star could be a possible replacement for the Belgian midfielder, whose contract at the club expires at the end of the season, with his father hinting at a possible exit.
However, Atleti would face competition from Barcelona in the pursuit of Amrabat, who appears to be prioritising a move to Camp Nou. The Moroccan international could potentially become an excellent alternative for Barça’s top target, Martin Zubimendi.
However, Fiorentina is unlikely to let the midfielder go cheaply, and Barcelona would have to sort out their economic situation to afford him.
That is where Atletico Madrid might look to get ahead of the Catalans. Although the Spanish giants are also struggling with finances, they may still be able to swoop in and secure the services of the Fiorentina star come the end of the season.
It is too early to deduce anything just yet. A lot will be uncovered as we enter the final phase of the season. Amrabat himself will be keen on making a definitive decision on his future, as he looks to take the next step in his career.
