Thomas Lemar's transformation runs its course. In four months, the Frenchman has gone from being a noted footballer and on the downside to an indisputable one at Atlético, where he is already almost a leader in the field, and who asks for a place with France. In Kazakhstan he has played the 90 minutes and gets a little closer to one of his individual goals, the Eurocup. His is already one of the revelations of the season.
And if the medium He has taken advantage of the opportunities as a rojiblanco, seems determined to do it with his selection, although entering the eleven bleu It is very expensive: 93% of success in the pass, two finishing assists, a blocked shot, and he approached the goal in the 73rd minute, but Mbappé did not pass it to him when he would only have had to push it … The first step has been taken. Deschamps has got him back for the cause after not calling him up since November 2019. The coach has also seen the metamorphosis of his footballer.
Settled next to Koke and Marcos Llorente
The chronology is like this. On November 28, Lemar started with Atlético at Mestalla. This Sunday he completed the match with France. And from that fall game until today, it has not stopped growing. “Believe me, he plays very well”, Simeone defended after the victory in Valencia and time has proved them right, step by step. Player and coach also held talks to figure out how to exploit Lemar's virtues. “He asked me (Simeone) and I told him that I am to play inside, freer, touching the ball very often … “, unveiled the footballer in France Football. Cholo reciprocated and Lemar settled in the middle together with Koke and Llorente.
His feelings and his numbers improve with a lot of difference to those of the past year and at the moment It is difficult to accept an Atlético without Lemar in the eleven. He is a footballer who asks for the ball, moves it, makes turns with it, filters passes, improves the plays… And when he doesn't have the ball, he chases it and bites the rival. In fact, when he is not there he is missed, something inconceivable half a year ago. Four round months for the footballer, who still have two more to put the clasp on his confirmation.
Lemar's progression
November 28: Simeone gives the title to Lemar against Valencia, but not on the left as usual, without behind the striker. It generates a couple of very dangerous chances and leaves a very good feeling in 65 '. “It's very good, believe me,” says the coach at the press conference. “We do not have footballers in the squad who have the speed and construction that he has. Hopefully we can give him the confidence he needs,” he explains.
December 5th: starter against Valladolid, also as a playmaker. He scores 1-0 and breaks a scoring drought that had dragged on since April 2019. A weight is lifted off his shoulders.
December 16: starter against Cardassar and one of the best of the team. It wasn't a level test, but it was an attitude test. A few days earlier, in the derby against Madrid, he entered after the break and also showed signs of improvement.
January: the fans vote him with the best of Atlético in December. He was a starter in all league games after Cardassar and until the end of January, eight in a row.
26 of January: “Now I feel like I have athletic DNA.” Lemar is sincere in France Football, reveals his conversations with Simeone, how he had gained confidence and the desire he had to return to the national team.
February 8th: positive for coronavirus. He has to stop at the best moment and misses three games, in which the team misses him. He returns on the 19th.
February 28th: starter against Villarreal. He almost saw the red for a hit with his arm to Capoué and ended up replaced at half-time by a blow.
7 of March: meets against Real Madrid the 100 games at Atlético. It will have its plaque on the Paseo de Leyendas del Wanda Metropolitano.
28th March: plays for France for the first time since November 2019.