{"id":1089953,"date":"2019-05-22T16:08:03","date_gmt":"2019-05-22T15:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1089953"},"modified":"2021-09-14T15:54:50","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T14:54:50","slug":"atletico-madrid-line-up-simeone-reinvent","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/atletico-madrid-line-up-simeone-reinvent\/","title":{"rendered":"All change? How Diego Simeone can reinvent Atletico Madrid amid string of high-profile departures"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antoine Griezmann is heading for the exit door but he may not be the only one in what is set to be a tumultuous summer for Atletico Madrid. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Diego Simeone has always done a fantastic job in restructuring his side, still managing to deliver trophies and Champions League football despite seeing a stream of star players depart for pastures new.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7266091-the-season-defining-story-from-each-of-europe-s-top-five-leagues<\/p>\n

But alongside the talismanic Griezmann, club captain and iconic defender Diego Godin has played his last game for Atleti, as has fellow veteran Juanfran.<\/p>\n

As if those three Atletico legends upping sticks wasn’t enough, Simeone may also have to contend with letting midfielder Rodri leave, with Manchester City reportedly keen on his signature, while Barcelona are rumoured to be targeting Filipe Luis to strengthen their cover for Jordi Alba at left-back. Oh, and did we mention Lucas Hernandez has already agreed a move to Bayern Munich?<\/p>\n

So, with this raft of legendary talent set to leave, how can Simeone plug the gaps? Which players will he look to bring in to ensure Atletico remain one of Spain’s superpowers? And which young prospects can step up to the mark in the absence of some of the most experienced pros in European football?<\/p>\n

1. Antoine Griezmann<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you’re about to lose an icon of French footballer, who also happens to be your most potent attacking threat, what better way to replace him than with another lethal French forward?<\/p>\n

Reports<\/a> are suggesting Atletico are weighing up a \u00a370m bid to sign Alexandre Lacazette from Arsenal, with the 27-year-old seen as one of the most highly suited players to Simeone’s system. The Argentine tactician often deploys a two-man strike force as part of his low block formation and Lacazette has flourished this season partnering Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up top for the Gunners.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Lacazette was Arsenal’s top assist provider (8) in the Premier League this season, while he also bagged a further 13 goals of his own. His contributions to Arsenal’s build-up play have been vital and the hope would be that he could dovetail with Alvaro Morata, who has another year left to run on his loan from Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, out-of-favour Juventus forward Paulo Dybala is another rumoured target and appears to be the ‘chosen one’ among Atleti fans. A poll held by AS<\/a>\u00a0saw Dybala beat Lacazette and Aubameyang with 5,500 votes as the Atleti supporters’ preferred replacement for Griezmann.<\/p>\n

The Argentina international is similar to Griezmann and Lacazette in that he likes to drop into the space between the opposition defence and midfield, linking up play and creating space for those around him. He isn’t your conventional centre-forward, often being deployed in midfield positions. But then again, Simeone isn’t a conventional manager and Dybala’s goal record for Juve speaks for itself: 78 goals in 181 games.<\/p>\n