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Tag: Atletico Madrid

  • I know joining Chelsea on-loan doesn’t make sense – Saul

    I know joining Chelsea on-loan doesn’t make sense – Saul

    Saul Niguez says quitting Atletico Madrid for Chelsea is about backing himself.

    He has aimed a thinly-veiled dig at the club’s hierarchy by questioning their preference for an initial loan move before going on to claim that he was denied a proper send-off.

    “A player of my name and going out on loan is a gamble,” Saul told Ibai Llanos on Twitch. “It doesn’t make any sense, honestly.

    “It’s an investment in me. It’s a gamble to get back to being me. These last three seasons have not been easy for my family and me.

    “The pity is that I have not been able to say goodbye to the red and white fans, explaining my version of how I feel and how I have felt.”

  • I gave everything for Barca jersey – Griezmann

    I gave everything for Barca jersey – Griezmann

    Atletico Madrid signing Antoine Griezmann has posted a farewell to Barcelona.

    Griezmann has returned to Atletico on-loan with the option to sign permanently.

    He posted to social media: “Dear supporters,

    “I say goodbye to you thanking you for your love.

    “I gave everything for this jersey, I got involved in this great club and I am sad not to have been able to enjoy you more in the stands, but proud to have been one of yours.”

  • Why I had to leave Atletico Madrid – Saul

    Why I had to leave Atletico Madrid – Saul

    New Chelsea signing Saul Niguez has explained his reasons for leaving Atletico Madrid yesterday.

    The Spaniard sealed a temporary switch to the Premier League side on deadline day just three minutes before the deadline but within moments of it being confirmed he was on Twitch with prominent Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos.

    Llanos, who has a close relationship with many top footballers including Lionel Messi, spoke to Saul about moving to England, leaving his family behind, not knowing the language and the influence of Spaniards in Chelsea’s dressing room.

    “I spoke with (Diego) Simeone,” he explained. “I have been playing in different positions for three seasons.

    “I owe everything to Diego and he must be selfish and think of the group.

    “I saw myself stuck in a position that was not mine. Chelsea’s option was to get out of the comfort zone, a challenge.

    “Chelsea has promised me to train in my position, to play we will see.”

    Saul continued: “I asked Simeone and Miguel Angel to train in my position.

    “I understand that he refused and from there they decided this.

    “I’ve been here since I was 13 and it’s very hard. I want to take up other movements and positions that I did not perform from the other position. It is the most important reason for my decision.”

    He added: “For me it has been the most difficult decision of my life and I have been advised by many people.

    “It’s a shame not being able to say goodbye to the fans. If I had known that the other day was the last day I would have done something else, approaching them and let them see what I feel. Supposedly that day I was staying, three days ago (against Villarreal) and yesterday it was also (the plan) that I stayed. It all (changed) today.”

  • Griezmann makes shock return to Atletico Madrid

    Griezmann makes shock return to Atletico Madrid

    Antoine Griezmann has rejoined Atletico Madrid from FC Barcelona on loan, just two years after leaving the Wanda Metropolitano.

    Atletico Madrid sold France striker Griezmann to Barca for 120 million euros (140 million dollars) in 2019, yet he has never managed to recapture his best form at Camp Nou.

    Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) earlier in August might have given Griezmann the opportunity to take centre stage.

    But the 30-year-old received flak from the Barca fans as Ronald Koeman’s side —— inspired by Memphis Depay —— laboured to a win over Getafe last weekend.

    Koeman defended Griezmann, saying: “I don’t like it when a Barca player is whistled. Someone who works like Antoine can never be criticised.

    “All the attackers can have their days, but there are games where you can’t find the space. We haven’t created opportunities for him either.”

    However, LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid —— who were linked with their former talisman last month —— have now brought Griezmann back to the Spanish capital.

    Griezmann has signed on loan for 2021/2022, with the deal including the option for either club to extend it for a further year.

    FC Barcelona also announced there is a compulsory permanent transfer clause.

    While his exit will go towards easing Barca’s financial difficulties, Atletico Madrid are bolstering an attack that already features Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and Angel Correa.

    They also have as well another new recruit in Matheus Cunha.

    Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo suggested last month that fans would not forgive Griezmann for how he left for FC Barcelona.

    FC Barcelona had reportedly been open to offers for the forward for some time, which could have potentially allowed them to retain Messi.

  • Chelsea sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez

    Chelsea sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez

    Chelsea have completed the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez on loan for the remainder of the season.

    The European champions were successful with a late move for Saul on deadline day.

    They reportedly have an option to buy for 30 million pounds (41 million dollars), after paying an initial loan fee of five million pounds.

    Saul had been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool previously, but will get his first experience of playing in the English Premier League (EPL) for the Blues.

    The 26-year-old was part of Atletico Madrid’s title-winning side in LaLiga last season.

    But Diego Simeone refused to rule out the prospect of the player leaving after a 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday.

    Saul is contracted to the reigning Spanish champions until 2026 but may have played his last game for the club.

    “I am very excited to start this new challenge with Chelsea. Blues fans, I am one of you now and I can’t wait to wear the shirt, start training and see all of you. See you soon!” Saul said.

    Saul’s arrival comes after Chelsea paid out a club-record fee to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan earlier in the same transfer window.

    Club director Marina Granovskaia said of the latest recruit: “We welcome Saul to the club and believe he completes our squad as we compete for honours in five different competitions this season.

    “He is a proven winner, a player with huge experience and we know he will be very well-suited to the challenges that face us on all fronts in the coming year.”

    A box-to-box midfielder, Saul is at his best operating in a central role, though his versatility and work-rate has often seen him deployed out wide by Simeone.

    He made only 22 league starts last season, his lowest figure since 2014/2015.

    This perhaps explains why he ranked only fourth in the Atletico Madrid squad for attempted tackles in the top tier, with 57.

    However, since August 2019, only Real Madrid’s Casemiro (190) had attempted more tackles by a midfielder than Saul (159) in LaLiga.

    The Spaniard is a proven goal threat too, with his best tally of six coming in 2019/2020.

    When compared to Chelsea’s current crop of midfielders, only Jorginho, who takes penalty kicks, has matched or beaten Saul’s scoring record.

    Chelsea were also believed to be keen to sign Jules Kounde from LaLiga as well, though a deal for the Sevilla centre-back failed to materialise.

  • I know why Spain fans booing me – Morata

    I know why Spain fans booing me – Morata

    Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata feels he knows why he’s being booed by Spain fans at Euro 2020.

    Morata, on-loan with Juventus, has stated that he is ready to speak about the booing at the end of the European Championship.

    The Spain striker answered his critics with a fine strike to give his side a 4-3 lead in their extra time victory over Croatia in the round of 16 and is solely focused on the task at hand at a critical stage in the tournament.

    “I know the reason [why they keep booing me],” he told Deportes Cuatro.

    “I know it perfectly well and it isn’t very difficult to understand.

    “When the European Championship finishes, if everything goes well, I will speak. I have no problem. I am fully aware why they boo me, of course.”

  • Ronaldo should go for imposter Felix – Roy Keane

    Ronaldo should go for imposter Felix – Roy Keane

    Manchester United great Roy Keane slammed Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix after Portugal’s Euros defeat to Belgium.

    Thorgan Hazard’s 42nd minute goal was enough to send Belgium through to the quarter finals, despite Portugal creating several good chances throughout the game.

    One of those chances fell to substitute Felix who scuffed his shot wide in stoppage time after Cristiano Ronaldo neatly laid the ball off for him.

    Talking about Portugal’s misses, Keane said on ITV: “I get really annoyed when they’re quality players.

    “There’s no excuse to be leaning back and just missing the target, just test the goalkeeper because these are top players there’s no getting around it.

    “Felix when he came on, that guy is an imposter. He comes on and the country needs you, just hit the target, he’s what, £100million?

    “If I was Ronaldo you’d certainly be going for him in the dressing room.”

  • Atletico Madrid best choice I could’ve made – Suarez

    Atletico Madrid best choice I could’ve made – Suarez

    Luis Suarez says choosing LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid when leaving Barcelona last summer was the best decision he could’ve made.

    The Atletico forward has been looking back on his move to the capital from Catalonia, but has no doubts about whether or not he made the right decision.

    “I had options,” Suarez told World Soccer. “But when I adapted to Atletico and I think about the faith the coach had in me, then I know that it was without a doubt the best decision I could have made.”

    Suarez went on to describe Lionel Messi as one of his closest friends.

    “Messi and I no longer play for the same team but we’re still great friends,” Suarez said. “It’s a friendship the goes beyond football.”

  • A joke the way we gave Suarez to Atletico – Alba

    A joke the way we gave Suarez to Atletico – Alba

    Barcelona fullback Jordi Alba has taken aim at former president Joan Laporta.

    Alba has blasted Bartomeu for allowing Luis Suarez to leave for Atletico Madrid, where he won the LaLiga title this season.

    The Barca defender said, “Luis gave so much to Barça and we gave him to Atlético. He won the championship, it seems to be a joke.

    “Beyond the friendship that united us, where do you find a striker like him? He has silenced many mouths.”

    On coach Ronald Koeman being confirmed, Alba was happy with the decision.

    He added: “He had a good season. It wasn’t easy, he had to field many very young players. Playing with three central defenders gave us stability, we played our best games like this. The management of the group was also good.”

  • Atletico Madrid make first offer for Man City attacker

    Atletico Madrid make first offer for Man City attacker

    La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are keen on Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva.

    In England, it’s been suggested City are prepared to sell Bernardo this summer to fund plans of finding a new striker signing after the departure of Sergio Aguero for Barcelona.

    The Times says Atletico are keen and have already made a first offer for the midfielder.

    The LaLiga champs have suggested a straight swap involving Saul Niguez for Bernardo.

    However, such a proposal isn’t ideal for City, which are seeking a cash deal to help with plans to fund a new striker addition.