A revolving door in perpetual motion.
This has been the bold approach utilised by Atletico Madrid in the summer’s transfer market. Of 2018/19’s first-choice XI, less than half will be present for Sunday’s La Liga opener against over-achieving neighbours Getafe.
Real Madrid’s vaunted reset under Zinedine Zidane has been – admittedly, to the Frenchman’s chagrin – nowhere near as thorough. The prospect of Neymar’s comeback looms over La Liga champions Barcelona’s business, which, to date, is led by just Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong and ex-Atleti forward Antoine Griezmann.
Tumult and titles rarely coexist in football. This assertion should spell doom for Los Rojiblancos hopes of a first top-flight crown since 2013/14.
Yet the consistency and clarity of vision by the club’s decision makers shines through, even at such startling volume. Characteristics that cannot be so aptly applied to El Clasico rivals.
It is why belief in tangible success is burgeoning at Wanda Metropolitano, not waning.
The triumvirate of head coach Diego Simeone, sporting director Andrea Berta and CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin have overseen a €261 million recruitment drive. Some reaction to March’s Champions League capitulation at Juventus that spelled the definitive end of an indefatigable era.
The figure will balloon past the €300m mark if a stalled deal for Valencia and Spain forward Rodrigo stutters back into life before September 2’s deadline.
The exhaustively re-cast squad is now defined by the likes of emergent €126m Portugal talent Joao Felix, rising Spain centre-back Mario Hermoso, England’s World Cup 2018 right-back Kieran Trippier and Porto freebie Hector Herrera.
The Los Rojiblancos hierarchy, however, are not spendthrifts. This unprecedented spree on nine additions has been paid for by substantial sales of €307.5m.
France pair Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez went for a combined €200m, while Manchester City’s matching of emerging Spain anchor man Rodri’s release clause made an unwelcome exit inevitable. Also gone are beloved free agents Diego Godin and Juanfran – veterans of multiple Champions League and Europa League finals.
This churn is, superficially, redolent of the chaos inherent to Spanish top flight’s financially starved lower reaches. It certainly stands in contrast to Clasico kings Madrid and Barcelona, who at the time of writing look to have each purchased four guaranteed first-team-ready footballers each.
But Atleti have been methodical – and methodological – at every turn. This cannot be said for the aforementioned enriched duo.
Trippier is a visionary substitution for Juanfran, while Atletico Paranaense’s 21-year-old left-back Renan Lodi comes in for fellow Brazilian Filipe Luis. Porto’s Felipe and Espanyol’s Hermoso fill the gaps at centre-back left by the Hernandez and the lionised Godin, while both Herrera and Madrid’s Marcos Llorente step in for Rodri.
Who's excited to see @trippier2 in @LaLigaEN? 🙋♂️#AúpaAtleti #AtletiGetafe pic.twitter.com/OVZKzDpSJZ
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 17, 2019
This summer’s enduring legacy, however, could come in the fortunes of Griezmann and enlivening replacement Felix.
The teen idol’s iridescent pre-season form has included goals against Madrid, Juventus and MLS All-Stars. At 19-years old, a staggering rise that began in earnest last October at Benfica shows no signs of abating.
An anonymous Griezmann’s contribution to Barca’s eyebrow-raising 1-0 La Liga defeat at Athletic Bilbao was three off-target attempts, one key pass and just 33 touches. The 28-year-old’s 15 goals in 2018/19 was his worst top-flight output since 2012/13, with Real Sociedad.
Barca’s complications do not end there.
The horse-trading about Neymar looked to have disturbed fragile France winger Ousmane Dembele at San Mames. He’s now either an interchangeable commodity with Paris Saint-Germain, or set for an unwanted spell on the sidelines.
The same uncertainty impacts Portugal right-back Nelson Semedo and Croatia centre midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
This is all without discussing the continuing disquiet that surrounds head coach Ernesto Valverde.
⚽ MATCH REPORT - Out of luck at San Mamés
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 16, 2019
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarçahttps://t.co/ygsPoOCK5K
Plentiful unease can further be detected at Santiago Bernabeu.
March’s return of Zidane – a winner of nine major trophies from January 2016-May 2018 – was caveated on extensive alterations to the roster.
With a fortnight left in the transfer market, however, expensive deadwood such as Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez and maligned Wales forward Gareth Bale remain.
A failure to prise France’s Paul Pogba from Manchester United has denied the flimsy centre midfield of a necessary power surge. Their already abysmal pre-season – two wins from seven friendlies, with 18 goals conceded – plunged new depths before Saturday’s La Liga clash at Celta Vigo when news broke that new €100m Belgium winger Eden Hazard had picked up a thigh injury in training.
Atletico’s ambitious plans are not without issue. Initial teething problems when the competitive actions gets under way are, surely, assured. But coherence – not shared by their greatest rivals – defines a sage succession plan.
Simeone’s latest conscripts are ready for action.
