Atletico Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid duo, Atletico trio included in Spain’s World Cup squad
Spain manager Luis Enrique has announced his final 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. And the list features two players from Real Madrid and three more from Atletico Madrid.
The two Real Madrid players who make the cut are right-back Dani Carvajal and forward Marco Asensio. Their inclusion hardly comes as a surprise given that they have been regulars in the scheme of things under Enrique.
Carvajal will battle with Cesar Azpilicueta for the starting right-back slot while Asensio will compete for a spot in the attacking unit that also comprises of talents like Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo.
As expected, there is no place for veteran star Nacho Fernandez, while former Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos, has also not been called up.
As for Atletico Madrid, Koke, Marcos Llorente and Alvaro Morata are the three players who have made it to the final list that will fly to Qatar with the Spanish national team.
While the Rojiblancos are not going through the best of moments on the pitch, Enrique has continued to place his faith in the aforementioned trio for the biggest tournament in football.
🚨 OFICIAL | Convocatoria de la @SEFutbol para el Mundial de Catar.
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) November 11, 2022
👥 Estos son los 26 jugadores elegidos por @LUISENRIQUE21 para defender a España en la gran cita.
🤗 Esta es mi lista, la tuya, es #LaListaDeTodos.
🇪🇸 ¡¡#VamosEspaña!! ¡¡VAMOS A HACER ALGO GRANDE!!#Catar2022 pic.twitter.com/6PhppxRDc1
Mario Hermoso, Saul Niguez and Sergio Reguilon (on loan from Tottenham) are the Atletico Madrid players who miss out from the La Roja roster.
Spain begin their journey on November 23 against Costa Rica before facing Germany in a high-profile encounter. They will end their group stage commitments with a fixture against Japan.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid among clubs weighing up a summer move for €20 million Barcelona defender
Having successfully raided FC Barcelona for the signing of Memphis Depay during the January transfer window, Atletico Madrid could look to bring in another player from Spotify Camp Nou come summer.
Indeed, according to SPORT, Atletico are among clubs who are interested in signing Barcelona ace Sergino Dest, who is currently away on loan at AC Milan.
Dest has been out of favour at Barça since Xavi Hernandez arrived at the club back in November 2021. The USMNT right-back was sent out on loan to Milan last summer so that he can play regularly.
The Rossoneri have the option of signing the ex-Ajax man permanently for €20 million, but are unlikely to take it up as the right-back has largely underwhelmed during his time in Italy, playing just 14 games in all competitions.
But, that has seemingly not deterred clubs in La Liga, including Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly willing to take a punt on Dest in the summer.
As things stand, Atletico have Nahuel Molina as their primary right-back, but the Argentine has not been consistent enough in his debut season at the club.
Matt Doherty arrived on a free transfer from Tottenham in January but has only played 12 minutes so far, indicating where he stands in Diego Simeone’s scheme. So, a new right-back might not entirely be ruled out at the Civitas Metropolitano come summer.
Dest, though, is also attracting interest from Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal, while an unnamed MLS club also want the right-back.
Barcelona, for their part, wish to recoup the €20 million they spent on him almost three years ago, which could become a roadblock for Atletico Madrid if they do indeed pursue the right-back with greater intent.
As things stand, there is just initial interest and there is nothing concrete from Atletico or any clubs. Only time will tell if that changes once Dest returns from his loan spell.
