Atletico Madrid News
Diego Simeone talks Lodi, Reguilon, Griezmann ahead of Valencia vs Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has confirmed that the team is working on finding a new left-back now that Renan Lodi is close to securing a move to the Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
The manager first explained why Lodi decided to move in the first place.
“Renan [Lodi] had the need to play in the World Cup,” said the manager (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“Some like to compete and others go out looking for those minutes that bring them closer to being able to go to the World Cup in the best way.”
Adding to the context, Simeone said the team will compensate for Lodi’s departure in the summer itself.
“The club is working on some arrival to compensate for Lodi’s departure, we hope to see what happens in these four fun days that we will have until the closure of the market,” he added.
Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon is said to be on his way to Metropolitano Stadium, but given his Real Madrid background, questions were raised about whether the Atleti fans will accept him or not. To that the manager said,
“Juanfran went through Real Madrid, Filipe [Luis] too and they are the history of the club,” he explained.
“Alvaro is doing well, Hermoso has given a lot, and Llorente destroyed it in the league champion season. I see them as football players.”
Simeone was also asked about how the team is managing the whole Antoine Griezmann situation. The Frenchman is currently on loan from Barcelona and Atletico have an obligatory buy clause worth €40 million in his contract.
For the contract to be fulfilled, Griezmann needs to clock a certain amount of minutes and speaking about the situation, the manager explained,
“In my mind, the quality of minutes matters more than quantity, I am absolutely not upset by what they think. Having Griezmann available is very satisfying for me.”
Atletico are set to take on Valencia, who have appointed Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager, away from home on Monday. When asked about his next opponent, the Argentine had nothing but kind words for the team and their manager.
“I see a team reflected in its coach, with a very fast pace of play, good intensity and man-to-man pressure in many passages of the match that raises the speed of the game, with quality footballers, people offensively who can do damage.
“New players have arrived. with great enthusiasm, we see a team with energy,” he concluded.
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.
