Diego Simeone reveals who Atleti missed most after a summer of change | OneFootball

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Alex Mott·12 October 2019

Diego Simeone reveals who Atleti missed most after a summer of change

Article image:Diego Simeone reveals who Atleti missed most after a summer of change

Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone has claimed that his side have been hit hardest by the departure of Lucas Hernandez this summer.

The Argentine tactician has conceded that the central defender’s big-money move to Bayern Munich has left a huge hole in his squad, this despite the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin also leaving the club during the off-season.


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It was a summer of change for the capital club, with several record arrivals joining, as well as big name players exiting.

And Simeone has reflected on what’s been a period of change for Atleti.

“The player exit this summer that was the most damaging for us was that of Lucas Hernandez,” Simeone told an interview with Cadena Ser.

“Because he was a kid of ours, from the youth system, he was one of us – just like Saul, Koke, Thomas…Lucas came along at the same time as Thomas, those players are important.

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“Many of those exits were very important for the team. Godín was very important for the team because of his personality, for his handling of the dressing room, but I think Griezmann was harder to replace.

“Griezmann was almost a Ballon d’Or and Joao Félix is ​​a 19-year-old boy. I think that for his growth it is better that he plays with footballers ahead of him and that he can play watching them.

Article image:Diego Simeone reveals who Atleti missed most after a summer of change

“Hopefully in the future in two or three years he can be at the level of Griezmann, a level that Antoine reached at 26. 26-years-old!

“He is a €120m player who is not Hazard, who is 30 years old…Joao is 19 years old and has to be done, It’s not the same huh, it’s not the same!”