“I would very much like not to be here for the time after Simeone leaves,” said Miguel Angel Gil past autumn. In the same interview, he mentioned that he already had an agreement with Luis Enrique, before his departure to Roma. He added that he believes that he managed to “clean up” the club after the reign of his controversial father. And that he will certainly sell the majority shares of the club, but only after leaving a “legacy that will represent the Gil family”. It is possible that these few sentences hold the keys to the future of Los Colchoneros.Strange things are happening with Atlético Madrid, and in the sea of divided opinions, there are more and more people who lash out at the club’s management, and remember the “controversial father” – Jesus.Sports tabloids are already widely spreading rumors that the club is for sale, that Gil and Enrique Cereso are looking for a buyer. Also, that Cholo allegedly announced his departure. Or that he was informed that he is free to go. The sources still don’t have enough info to reliably quote them, but there is already so much smoke that we can suspect that there is also a fire somewhere.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Atlético are in such a bad situation that one can question whether it is an interesting topic at all. Other teams outbid them in the battle for public and sports media attention. Real Sociedad are in front of them in the La Liga standings, and with a game less – Betis are very close. We even did not see them in the “elite” four of the Spanish Super Cup.The departure of Joao Felix is just another symbol of the collapse towards which the red and whites are heading. A huge investment, which once symbolized success, is going out the door, for little money, and with an uncertain future.The Portuguese, after expressing his unwavering intention to leave to his agent Jorge Mendes, managed to move only temporarily in the January transfer window, hoping to revalue himself. And that’s what everyone hopes for.Before going on loan (worth 11,000,000 euros, which includes the salary) Felix had to extend his contract with Atlético until 2027. Some interpret this as a sign that Simeone will no longer be at Metropolitano in the summer. Others, as a chance for better sales in the summer. What is certain is that we will not see them together again.Joao was never Simeone’s choice. He was brought by Gil himself, who saw the transfer as a massive success and was very proud of it, with the all-around help of Mendes and the intervention of Paolo Futre. Whether he is ready to sacrifice him now is a big question. There is a higher chance that he is trying to buy time, because it would be too expensive to release Simeone in this transfer window. If, however, he does not meet the club’s minimum objectives, that is, if he does not qualify for the next Champions League or does not make a good result in Copa del Rey, the situation would be different in the summer. Until then, the young Portuguese is safe at Chelsea.🏆 He ended Atlético Madrid’s 18-year-wait for a La Liga title.🇪🇺 2 Champions League finals & 2 Europa League wins.🤝 Signed Luis Suarez from Barcelona then beat them to La Liga title.🌟 Made stars out of Costa, Griezmann, Godin, Oblak, Koke.Diego Simeone is an icon 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VO8EuBpiGS— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) January 10, 2023 Felix is also a symbol of Atlético’s bad handling of success. Many wonder what happened when only one more step had to be taken to enthrone Los Colchoneros as the third pillar of Spain’s football elite. Players started to be brought in spontaneously because they were finally able to do that, and the team became flustered and unbalanced. The concept of the game has disappeared, and therefore the faith in the coach. The loyal and unassailable have faltered. And at this moment there is no way out.The club shows no reaction. Or at least not reacting enough. The answer could be the possibility that Gil and Cereso are indeed trying to leave the club. Also, it is very difficult to say goodbye to Simeone. Emotionally and financially. But we will have to wait for the summer for these questions to be answered.For now, Atleti are looking for a “low-cost” striker. And for now, the choice (we don’t know whose) has fallen on Memphis Depay, who has reportedly already given his consent. By the way, along with Llorente and Griezmann, Depay is the player whose value dropped the most in 2022 – 25,000,000 euros according to Transfermarkt. He’s had bad luck with injuries, along with the fact that Ronald Koeman brought him in and Xavi doesn’t want him. However, when he did get opportunities, he didn’t take them, as recently criticized by his famous countryman, Ruud Gullit.Will Memphis will be the one to find the net regularly among Atletico’s forwards whose misses are already circulating on social media like a joke, is the big question. But there seem to be no other options, because Atlético do not have the money to pay the full price of the player – e.g. the amount Betis asked for Borja Iglesias. The remaining search among the almost free footballers, and it finally came down to convincing Barcelona to forget about the past and allow the Dutchman to wear the red and white shirt.Barça were asking for €6m-€7m for Memphis, but Atletico Madrid will end up paying €3m-€4m for the player, and they won’t include Carrasco in the deal either.— @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/FiUYxvGZm5— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 18, 2023 Because, and it must be said, there is no money. Unbelievable, but true. Today’s Atletico is worth 746,000,000, almost four times more than when Simeone arrived. But last season the debt reached the figure of 592,000,000. Given that European competitions are over for the red and whites, the situation will not improve.Because the club’s profit is divided, more or less, into three thirds. One comes directly from sporting success (placement in European competitions), the second from television rights, and the third relates to sponsors, advertisements and ticket sales. As for expenses, around 190,000,000 goes to player (and coach) salaries.Of the ten most expensive Atlético transfers in the last ten years, with a total value of around 500,000,000, none (except Radamel Falcao) exploded with productivity for the club. Joao Felix is only the first on the list. He is followed by Thomas Lemar, Diego Costa (second term), Vitolo, Rodrigo de Paul, Alvaro Morata, Jackson Martinez, Kevin Gameiro and Mateus Cunha. The names speak for themselves.Whether the players were brought in according to plan or not, with Cholo’s blessing or not, whether the Argentine is responsible for the destruction of talent and for Atlético’s downfall… Felix will have a chance to show us a lot at Chelsea. If Graham Potter allows him to “play with the ball and have fun”, as he declared on the first day. For now, the Colchoneros are waiting for better days.COPA DEL REY1/8 finalsWednesday21:00: (3.45) Gijon (3.15) Valencia (2.30)22:00: (1.51) Ath.Bilbao (4.10) Espanyol (7.50)23:00: (5.10) Levante (3.50) Atl.Madrid (1.79)23:00: (2.09) Betis (3.35) Osasuna (3.80)Thursday22:00: (25.0) Ceuta (13.0) Barcelona (1.09)23:00: (2.90) Villareal (3.35) Real Madrid (2.50)***odds are subject to change***
