Atlético de Madrid had shown great interest in signing Adrien Rabiot, the French midfielder who became available after his contract with Juventus ended. The red-white club saw a golden opportunity in Rabiot to strengthen their midfield without a transfer fee. However, the signing never took place, as Rabiot decided to join Olympique de Marseille. Faced with this situation, Atlético has decided to fully trust Conor Gallagher, the new signing from Chelsea.
Atlético de Madrid's Interest in Rabiot and the Final Decision
Adrien Rabiot fit the profile Simeone was looking for: a midfielder with experience and quality to add to the team's play. At 29 years old and with a solid track record in Europe, Rabiot was seen as a great addition. However, his transfer fell apart and the Frenchman opted to return to his country, signing with Olympique de Marseille.
Instead of looking for an emergency signing, Atlético have decided to go for Gallagher, who has been performing well since his arrival at the club. Simeone is confident in his potential and believes he can become a key piece for the team. With this decision, Atlético are sending a clear message: They prefer to develop their own talent rather than looking for short-term solutions.
Simeone's Trust in Conor Gallagher and his Importance for the Team
Conor Gallagher, 23, arrived at Atlético with Simeone's backing, who values his energy and skills in midfield. Simeone has always been a coach who believes in youth and commitment on the field. Gallagher fits perfectly into this philosophy, showing the qualities that the Argentine coach looks for in his players.
Gallagher has had a good start at Atlético, standing out for his ability to recover and his physicality. For Simeone, these are essential characteristics in his game plan. The coach believes that Gallagher can offer what is needed to cover the midfield position without having to resort to an external signing. This confidence in Gallagher also reinforces the idea that the club is not looking for temporary solutions, but is committed to a long-term project.
His best game as a red-white was last night, against Valencia, in the 3-0 victory for Simeone's men. Gallagher played during all 90 minutes, scoring the 1-0 and leaving a practically unbeatable impression. He's a footballer who represents Cholismo and who's already won over the Atlético fans.