Player Focus: Griezmann Needs a Big Year to Prove He's Among World's Best
In the summer of 2014, Atletico Madrid were unfortunate to lose the services of Diego Costa to Chelsea. The Spain international netted an astonishing 27 league goals as Los Rojiblancos upset the Barcelona and Real Madrid duopoly at the summit of Spain, becoming the first team in 10 years outside of the dominant pairing to win the Primera Division. The Blues were strongly linked with a move for Costa before the deal was confirmed, which was a blow to manager Diego Simeone who, 12 months earlier, had lost Falcao to Monaco.
However, the Argentine did not kick up a fuss, instead using the funds raised from Costa’s sale to strengthen accordingly. In came Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann from Bayern Munich and Real Sociedad respectively. The former may have underwhelmed in parts for Atletico, departing for Juventus after just a solitary season at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, but the latter looks set to remain at the club, despite interest from across the continent.
Griezmann enjoyed a prolific debut season with Atletico, netting 22 league goals to help Simeone’s side to a third place finish. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (48) and Lionel Messi (43) scored more goals than the Frenchman in La Liga, a return that saw the likes of Chelsea and Bayern Munich sit up and take notice. Atletico’s signings of Jackson Martinez, Luciano Vietto and Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco heightened speculation that a move away from Madrid was imminent this summer.
However, despite the interest, no move has materialised at the time of writing as Atletico gear up for the coming campaign. Griezmann looks to be heading into the season in a rich vein of form having recently bagged a superb first half brace in the team’s final pre-season friendly with Shangai SIPG. The conundrum for Simeone now though is where to play the France international in an attack that includes the three aforementioned new signings. Coupled with Mandzukic’s departure, Arda Turan left for Barcelona, with the signing of Ferreira-Carrasco expected to cover the Turk’s move to the European champions.
In Martinez and Vietto, though, Simeone has at his disposal two strikers worthy of a starting spot, while Fernando Torres remains an option for the Atletico boss. It, therefore, remains to be seen where Griezmann will play in the side, be it as the lead striker or on the left flank in Simeone’s favoured 4-4-2 formation. If his performances on the frontline are anything to go by, though, Simeone would perhaps be wise to have him partner Martinez in attack this coming campaign.
Griezmann has gained a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘finishing’ and for good reason. Only Carlos Bacca (29%) had a better conversion rate of players to score 10 or more goals in La Liga last season (28.2%), while 15 of his 22 league goals came from his 17 starts as a striker. The acquisition of Vietto - whose 12 goals in his debut campaign in Europe - will provide adequate competition for a regular starting berth in attack, but he is likely to be used more sparingly.
The Frenchman’s versatility means he is able to play on the flank and with Griezmann on the left, Simeone boasts one of the most potent offenses in Europe. In a 4-4-2 formation, the Atletico boss has the option to field Vietto and Martinez in attack, with Griezmann and Ferriera-Carrasco on the flanks, and with the latter duo’s willingness to press forward; Atletico’s attack could resemble something of a 4-2-4 formation, an advantage when playing teams who look to sit deep and frustrate the opposition.
Utilising the pace of the wide duo, factoring in Griezmann’s goalscoring exploits and Ferreira-Carrasco’s creative qualities - only Dimitri Payet (17) and Javier Pastore (12) registered more assists in Ligue 1 last season than the Belgian (10) - Atletico boast the ability to stretch defences. This suggests a change in tack from Simeone, who previously favoured a more direct approach, utilising the height and strength of Costa or Mandzukic. Even with Martinez at his disposal, the Atletico boss may instead look to retain possession and play a more patient style, whilst continuing to look to hit teams on the counter when possible. Of course, against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, they may continue to soak up pressure, but bringing Griezmann and Ferreira-Carrasco into play and utilising their respective dribbling ability will make for a more aesthetically pleasing Atletico.
Of course, as mentioned, Griezmann and Ferriera-Carrasco are unlikely to support Vietto and Martinez when Atletico face Barcelona, Madrid and other teams threatening their place among Spain’s elite, with Simeone expected to drop one of the four in order to form a more resolute midfield. Operating in a 4-4-2 with the attacking quartet would leave Atletico dangerously exposed and while Simeone often did so in the past, he does not have the tenacious Arda Turan to call on to help solidify the middle the park. Ferreira-Carrasco is capable of performing his defensive duties, though not to as high a standard as the Turk, and it’s feasible to suggest the battling Raul Garcia would come into the side as a result.
If that is indeed the case, Griezmann is unlikely to be the man sacrificed. As the club’s top goalscorer in La Liga last season, the 24-year-old is right to command a regular starting spot, though it’s not too much to ask that he work on his consistency, especially against Spain’s bigger teams. Of the 22 league goals he scored, only 1 came against teams to finish in last season’s top 6, and even that was the third in a 4-0 thumping of demoralised rivals Real Madrid. It’s all well and good scoring against teams lower in the league, but Griezmann really needs to prove his worth when Atletico face off against Spain’s elite in the upcoming campaign.
At such a young age, Griezmann has the world at his feet. This season looks set to be a crucial one for the France international as he aims to be considered one of Europe's finest forwards. Should he build on last season’s impressive performances, improving his consistency along the way, Griezmann has the potential to become a world class talent in the not-too-distant future.
How do you think Antoine Griezmann will fare for Atletico Madrid in the upcoming La Liga campaign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
