The Atlético Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has expressed his admiration for the club’s new signing, Julián Álvarez, emphasizing his belief in the 24-year-old forward’s potential. A recent acquisition from Manchester City for a reported fee of approximately €75 million ($82.7m), Simeone is eager to witness Álvarez’s contribution to the team. The manager hinted that Álvarez might make his debut in Atlético’s upcoming LaLiga fixture against Villarreal. During a press conference, Simeone stated, “Julián [Álvarez] is a player we are all looking forward to seeing and who will help us to be better. It was all very sudden, so quick. He just arrived a little while ago, has been training for four days but has been adapting fast.”
Despite the significant investments made in Álvarez, Euro 2024-winning defender Robin Le Normand, and last season’s LaLiga top scorer Alexander Sørloth, Simeone opted to downplay immediate title ambitions. Acknowledging the formidable competition posed by Real Madrid, who secured a Champions League and LaLiga double in the previous season prior to acquiring Kylian Mbappé from France, Simeone stressed the need for further player reinforcements. He noted ongoing negotiations with Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher and highlighted the necessity of strengthening the squad to effectively challenge Real Madrid’s dominance. Simeone remarked, “Real Madrid start the season as the best team and will have to prove it with the wonderful players they have while all the rest of us will be behind to compete against them.”
As Atlético Madrid continues to shape its roster for the upcoming season, Simeone emphasized the importance of remaining focused on immediate objectives. Despite the team’s impressive acquisitions and potential signings, the manager emphasized a step-by-step approach to progress, stressing the significance of each match in determining the team’s development. Simeone concluded by affirming the need for sustained effort and strategic planning to effectively challenge Real Madrid’s supremacy in the league. He stated, “We haven’t closed the squad yet, apart from not closing it yet, we need to focus on tomorrow’s game and see game by game how the team progresses.”
Simeone’s expectations for Julián Álvarez exemplify Atlético Madrid’s ambitions for the upcoming season. While the club has made significant investments to bolster its roster, the manager remains cautious in setting optimistic title expectations. By focusing on gradual progress and strategic acquisitions, Atlético aims to present a formidable challenge to Real Madrid’s dominance in the LaLiga.
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