He is the name on everyone’s lips at Atlético de Madrid since he declared in the middle of the World Cup that the best thing was a transfer and that he wanted to “fulfill his dream.” He is Julián Álvarez, who has had to return to the club and train without any news about his market. On the eve of the league debut of the Colchoneros against Málaga (Wednesday, 21:00), Diego Simeone spoke about the Argentine.
“I think the same as in Korea. I take care of the sporting and personal side. He is extraordinary as a person. We talk as always. I understand that he must have a bit more training to arrive in the best way on Sunday. We need more training with him. He is the best attacking player. And I keep thinking along the same lines. Build a team around him thinking about his potential, quality, and hierarchy, and what he gave the team,” argued the coach.
Up to four questions revolved around the international forward, who joined the Atlético discipline eight days ago and who has been alternating solo work with group training. “If the owner of the club speaks that way (referring to the words of Miguel Ángel Gil Marín in which he made it clear that they were not going to sell him), there is nothing more to say. It is like in trials, no place. We behave like this, we take care of the person, the player, and that he is in optimal conditions. That he takes care of the name he has, the footballer he is, and what he gave us. And that in four days he evolves more,” he added.
Like other players who showed their desire to leave and finally left, such as Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann, Simeone considers that people are free to express their opinions. Both players later had a second stage. And the whistles and criticism turned into praise and applause. “Let people think what they must. I have always thought the same, it already happened with Diego Costa, Griezmann, Julián… They are free.” On Sunday, Atlético hosts Villarreal at the Metropolitano and it could be the debut of the former City player.
Barça is the desire of the Argentine forward, although now the Blaugrana club is addressing and closing the signing of Rodri Hernández, who arrived Monday in the Catalan city. The team of Hansi Flick still lacks a number nine and the options in case Julián Álvarez does not arrive remain open. Atlético does not give in. Barça has already parted ways with Ferran Torres.
Precisely, about Griezmann’s absence, another player who, in this case, did move from the Metropolitano to Camp Nou, Simeone spoke. After his years leading and breaking records with the rojiblancos, the coach, who asks for time to adapt the signings, considers that “there will be no other like him, we had a genius for many years. We will miss him.” Although he hopes to find in Cuti Romero, a signing he has always pursued, “commitment, leadership, hierarchy, and belonging over time… He has all the values of this club.”
