Atletico Madrid News
Simeone talks Memphis, Carrasco, Llorente ahead of Atletico Madrid vs Real Valladolid
Atletico Madrid have finally confirmed the signing of Memphis Depay from Barcelona, releasing a statement in which they reveal that the forward has signed a contract with the club until 2025.
A deal had been in the work over the last week and Depay flew in for his medicals yesterday. Even though he started training with the Rojiblancos, an official announcement was not made.
But Simeone unofficially confirmed the transfer just before the announcement arrived. The Colchoneros’ manager spoke to the media earlier today ahead of the club’s match against Real Valladolid and touched upon the topic of Depay’s transfer during the same interaction.
He spoke about what would make him bloom at Atletico as relayed by the club’s official Twitter.
“A player is coming with a lot of enthusiasm, with the desire to recover his best version, and we will work so that we can rediscover the player who, above all, was at Lyon, because there he showed all his ability and his physical strength,” he said.
Simeone then gave his two cents on the possibility of Yannick Carrasco moving to Spotify Camp Nou. Having tried to sign him this month, Barcelona have secured the option to purchase the Belgian, for a fee reported to be just €15 million.
But Simeone insisted he knew nothing about the same, as he said: “Whether Carrasco [to Barcelona] happens or not, I’m not totally aware of it, we’ll see. We also have other players playing in other clubs who can help in the future.”
Nevertheless, the Argentine coach did not close the doors for the winger to sign for Xavi Hernandez’s side in the future but assured that Carrasco was committed to the team’s cause at present.
“The question is for Carrasco, I speak according to what I see in training and Carrasco has always shown good versions with us,” he said.
On the possibility of using Marcos Llorente further up the pitch and not at right-back, Simeone said: “It’s better for the team if Marcos is further forward, but that’s what we have and we’ll go according to the situations that arise. Molina has always played, he has hardly ever been rested, because in that situation we have some difficulties.”
“We don’t have another right-back, except for Sergio, who works in the B team and has been accompanying us and has been looking for a chance.”
Talking about how he sees Memphis fit into his team, Simeone added: “Memphis fits as a forward who can play as a first striker or as a second striker.
“I see him a bit like Costa, who was a forward that at first started as a second striker, on the outside, but in the end ended up playing as a centre-forward because he was explosive, because he was strong.”
On the plans for the rest of the January window, he added: “Waiting for the end of the market and the possibilities of what can happen with the players. The club is working on what we need.”
On how the players react to the transfer window, Simeone said: “They are looking for comfort, possibilities appear and the players try to fight with ambition and change the situation or look for other destinations. Some are looking for their best version of themselves and others are trying to change clubs”.
Talking about Real Valladolid and how they setup, he added: “They are a team whose results are not keeping up with the way they are playing. They have a very defined game, with a lot of attacking players and the results are not going their way.”
Stressing on the importance of the fans at the Civitas Metropolitano, he added: “For us, we can get close to the second half of the last game, when the fans give their all and we can play great games. With the strength of our fans, we can have a great game.
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.
