Following the arrival of Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth,the forward line is now complete with two players of the highest quality. These are reinforcements that come to replace the absences of Memphis Depay and Álvaro Morata and that, on paper, also improve what was already there. In total, just over 100 million euros have been invested, pending whether the variables are met, in which case the amount to be paid would increase.
However, there are those who say that Atlético de Madrid still need signings in many other areas of the team . It is known that the club is hoping for another reinforcement in the midfield and in defence, but... would any more additions be necessary?
Fran Guillén exposes Atlético's potential problems
In the 'Pizarra de Quintana', a highly recommended programme for football fans, Fran Guillén gave his opinion on the red-and-white transfer market. In it, he obviously praised the incorporation of Julián Álvarez but emphasised that this signing would not overshadow the needs that the team has.
"The ceramic hob in the kitchen doesn't work and the shower in the bathroom is leaking." With this comparison, the DAZN journalist came to reflect the shortcomings in the defensive areas, as well as in the engine room. Fran Guillén explained that there is still a lot of work to be done in the Atlético offices if they want to form a balanced team and not have what happened last season.
"We are missing at least one centre-back and a '5', which is not Conor Gallagher." As we have said before, the club has this in mind and knows that it has to secure these two signings before the deadline. If the '5' does not arrive, that position could be occupied by Koke, Pablo Barrios, perhaps a Vermeeren from whom much more is expected, or even Axel Witsel if he is well supported.
"Nobody talks about this"
However, what is most surprising about his statements, as he rightly says, because nobody talks about them, are the shortcomings in the wing-backs . With Samu Lino, the left wing-back is covered, but if he is not there, the position is somewhat orphaned. I understand that Rodrigo Riquelme would be the one to occupy that position, as he did last year, and there is no mention of any reinforcements because Simeone expects him to make a leap in quality there.
On the right wing, the position is the most covered with Marcos Llorente and Nahuel Molina . The problem here is that if the first one plays on the right wing, you lose him as an inside midfielder, which is where he plays best, and the second one is an unknown. Nahuel Molina is like that Simpsons meme in which they show a Krusty the Clown toy.
The Argentine has no middle ground , he can be in LALIGA's best right-back mode or in mode of not even controlling the ball. It is a case worth studying. It was Simeone's express request, there is potential there but something is wrong that causes such sudden changes in performance.
In any case, if Rodrigo Riquelme and Nahuel Molina do not make a step forward in quality, it will be a difficult year for the Atlético extrems. The final plot twist would be for Javi Galán to take over the left wing or at least be a reliable substitute. It would be an unexpected and welcome resurrection after Simeone put the cross on him after that game at Celtic Park.