The winter transfer market can generate movements at Atlético. There will not be many in any case and, if there are any, no earthquake is expected. And if there are entries and exits, they will not only affect the protagonists in question, but also other players in the squad. Some of the most versatile pieces of the Cholo, such as Kondogbia and Llorente will be very attentive to what happens in January.
The team was very right on defense during the first round and that is why Simeone had to patch up. Already in the summer, Kondogbia was, in addition to being a midfielder, the fifth center-back on the squad. And in the absence of Savic —Four penalty games in the Champions League and now injured—, Gimenez —Two low periods, in October and December— and Felipe – He started the course injured and had two suspension games in Europe – he has played defense half a dozen times. If a reinforcement does not arrive, it will be his turn to remain an emergency defender.
Marcos Llorente is in a similar situation. The 14 was one of the best footballers in the League as an interior, but this year is playing often as a right back, in defense of five or even four. Trippier joined late for the Eurocup and started as a substitute and there he was Llorente of 2, a position that does not excite him, but in which he fulfills. Then the Englishman injured his shoulder at Mestalla and missed five games. And again the Madrilenian acted as a winger, with notable performances against Porto and Real Madrid, for example. Vrsaljko It already seems like the third option.
If Trippier is going to the Premier …
In this case, both will be very attentive to what happens with Trippier, intended by Newcastle. Atleti count on him and he has made it known, but If the British left and another side did not arrive, the task would have to be divided between Vrsaljko and Llorente, which not only improves when he plays in the middle, but Trippier’s presence on the band enhances his virtues. He is the one who misses English the most, as happened at the beginning of the year when the full back was suspended for ten weeks.
Kondogbia and Llorente are guard defenders, but above all they are midfielders. Two of the six that Simeone has for that plot, but it turns out that one can leave: Hector Herrera. The others are Koke, De Paul and Lemar, with enough weight in the team. If the Mexican leaves, Simeone will need even more the first two for the middle. That is why the departure of the Azteca would favor the arrival of a defender more than a midfielder. The hole in the rear is much larger than the one Herrera would leave on his plot. And Kondogbia and Llorente would appreciate it.