The signing of a center forward by Atlético also indirectly influences the defense and the future of Nehuén Pérez. Simeone has four centers of his maximum guarantee: Savic, Giménez, Hermoso and Felipe, with whom he was proclaimed champion of the League again with Oblak as Zamora. However, that formation that Cholo began to promote last season with three centrals in the eleven causes that having only four specialists on the job seems short.
For the first day, the Cholo could not have Felipe, who during the Copa América suffered a partial tear in the external lateral ligament of his right knee from which he finalizes his recovery. LaLiga started in Balaídos with Savic, who has already overcome the muscle injury of the preseason, Giménez and Hermoso, but the Spanish defender saw the direct red card and the controversial arbitration act of Munuera Montero stated that it was “sent off for holding an opponent by the neck with both hands continuously without the ball in play“. Something that does not appear in the images (yes, the finger in Aspas's eye is not reflected), but that could lead to several penalty games. Atlético is already preparing allegations for the play.
But, for the moment, Cholo can be seen with only two centrals to receive Elche, something that would force him to change their formation, to resort to the quarry (Montero, Fran González, Álvaro García) or use a converted side in the center of the rear, as he did throughout the preseason with Vrsaljko, Arias or Camus. In the last two friendlies, Nehuén Pérez, a central defender who signed in 2018 but who has been chaining assignments while evolving in the position, could be seen at a good level. The Argentine joined the preseason after captaining his team at the Olympics and you already know LaLiga after spending last year on loan at Granada.
However, the 21-year-old defender has not yet been entered by Atlético in the competition. Nehuén did not travel to Vigo and is waiting to find out about his future. There are several reasons why the Argentine does not have a record. He occupies an extra-community place, and Atlético already has Felipe and Lodi on the list, so in the case of enrolling you, the quota would be closed and Arias, also a non-EU member (another not registered at the moment), continues to be part of the squad. In addition, the club continues to work on the incorporation of a '9' and there Nehuén has more relevance than expected. The favorite is Vlahovic, but to incorporate it, exits are necessary, and Nehuén has a good market, so if an important offer arrives, it should be studied.
But, in addition, if the operation by the Serbian does not come to fruition, there are at least two alternatives on the agenda, such as Matheus Cunha and Maxi Gómez, who do not have a community passport, so in the case of ending up going for them, the free place could not be occupied by Nehuén. Therefore, the Argentine still has not guaranteed his continuity, although it is presented as a very useful option to cover the shortage of centrals in the squad. Despite the needs for Sunday, Atlético could wait to clarify the forward's operation before signing Nehuén. Elche is just around the corner and Simeone has before him the first puzzle to solve. Whether or not to definitively count on the Argentine is one of the doubts at the moment.