The moment Atletico Madrid’s players dropped to their knees in exhausted defeat in Lisbon, beaten by close rivals Real Madrid to the UEFA Champions League trophy, the true nightmare began.
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Asset-stripping in football can vicious, relentless and soulless; a process in which several clubs take delight in ripping one team’s best players away in the blink of an eye.
Southampton have lost three key players this summer and Aston Villa have been torn to pieces in the past, but in 2014 the biggest giant-felling in recent history will occur as Atletico Madrid—winners of the 2014 La Liga and Copa del Rey in 2013—will revamp a squad depleted by sheer force.
Thibaut Courtois’ loan is up after three incredible years minding the sticks, Diego Costa has swapped Madrid for London in a €30 million-plus deal, Filipe Luis too, Tiago is out, David Villa’s gone and even Adrian Lopez has crossed the Iberian border.
It’s the sort of clear-out we’re familiar with after a club fails to breach the UEFA Champions League spots and has to sell up to the vultures, but for the reigning champions?
Los Colchoneros could be defending their Liga title next season with as few as six holdovers, and while they have the sturdy Diego Godin, exuberant Koke and work-horse Arda Turan to lean on, Diego Simeone has a busy summer ahead.
The first portion of any transfer Atletico’s way goes toward clearing monstrous debts, once registered at a whopping €517 million but now steadily declining, and with a move to a new stadium in 2016 firmly in focus, a helping of any fees earned will be siphoned for that.
That essentially leaves Atletico two options: Try and repeat the impossible dream they managed last year with what players are remaining plus a few stop-gaps, or create a new project for the fans to get behind en-masse and feel excited about heading into the 2014-15 season.
The smart, and economically viable, option is the second; the project. Find a few more Koke’s, spend on some young prospects and let the Vicente Calderon rally around them.
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Mario Mandzukic represents a very questionable start to the summer, being 28 years old and likely demanding high wages coming from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, but Jan Oblak—despite the hefty €16-20 million fee—is a big step in the right direction.
Joshua Guilavogui likely steps into the Tiago role, rotating with stalwart Gabi and the rising Mario Suarez in defensive midfield. Guilherme Siqueira takes up the post of left-back in Filipe Luis’ absence, while Angel Correa and Leo Baptistao are left to replace David Villa and Diego Costa respectively.
A big ask.
But this is a Simeone side: It will be ultra-pragmatic, defence-first and has retained key peripherals Godin, Miranda and Juanfran. They won’t lay down and accept their crown being taken, not by a long shot.
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The key is buying young and committing to long-term success; patch-up jobs doom you unless you’re a financial powerhouse—such as the one just across the city lines.
With crippling debts and a must-sell attitude, it’s up to Simeone to create something else for the Calderon to root for. Give them a sliver and they’ll take it, but the transfer market must be nailed for Atletico not to slip away.
Correa is out for a better part of the season with a heart condition and Guilavogui was a failed transfer who’s very likely not to even be here next season.
Mandzukic is a smarter footballer than Costa and Saul is likely to step into Tiago’s spot (along with Koke moving to the center).
Great article sam!