Rodrigo de Paul is already a new Atlético player. The club announced, again at 19:03, the time of the rojiblancas news, the agreement with Udinese, that had been closed since before the start of the America's Cup, and is made with one of the great stars of the championship, key for Argentina to lift the title.
The speed to get hold of the 27-year-old footballer has been fundamental in the rojiblanca entity, since De Paul has come out of the tournament completely revalued after being a reference in the Argentine midfield and signing an outstanding final against Brazil, assisting Di María in the winning goal. But, beyond his role with the national team, the midfielder had been drawing the attention of Atlético for several seasons due to his high level in Serie A. In May, as As reported, the operation was underway and this Monday has become official. Udinese captain, shows the increase in gallons and maturity in the dressing room, De Paul has little to do with that young winger who played for Valencia between 2014 and 2016.
The Argentine was focusing his position until he became a fixture in the engine room, providing ball output, arrival, quality and work with a pivot from behind. De Paul finished last league with 36 games played, nine goals and nine assists. He was the fourth highest scoring midfielder in Serie A and the sixth highest assisted player in the competition. Also, it ended up as the player with the most good dribbles in the Italian league (122), he was also the one who won the most duels with 294, the third in good centers to the area, the twenty-fourth player with the most good passes completed (1.465) and the tenth midfielder with the most recoveries (207).
The champion is reinforced with his second signing after Marcos Paulo and De Paul, who has signed for five seasons, will enter the preseason after enjoying a few days of vacation, like Correa and Lodi, also participants until the final of the Copa América, and Trippier, who reached the final of the Eurocup. Simeone adds a new card with his compatriot, who has a style of play that adapts perfectly to the coach's ideas. With an Italian passport, you do not occupy an extra-community place and promises to maximize internal competition in midfield. His arrival could lead to a departure from Saul, that has been losing prominence in Cholo's schemes and would have a change of scene among his plans.
De Paul will make it even more expensive for his technician to make the eleven. Last season Simeone established a very offensive midfield with Koke acting as a pivot with Llorente and Lemar, with full freedom to step on the opponent's area. El Cholo also has Kondogbia, more positional and physical and that you can step up this course after completing a first acclimatization course, with Saúl himself and with Héctor Herrera, who is disputing the Gold Cup with Mexico. De Paul is used to playing accommodated to the right profile, together with a pivot at his side and with an enormous physical capacity that allows him to contribute a lot of back and forth to the team. Atlético strengthens itself and does so with a first-rate player.