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Midfield: Correa, Saul, Koke, Lemar
The summer market of this season will be remember as one of the best in the history of Atleltico Madrid. They've used this transfer market not only to decrease their team's average age but also increase the quality at the disposal of their manager. The importance of the bench in a league is unquestionable. Real Madrid won the league a season ago with their first and reserve team's incredibly good quality. Their so called B-team included the likes of Asensio, Lucas Vasquez and Isco, which was good enough to see off the lower and lower-mid table teams.
Seemingly, Atleti want to challenge for the title on the same basis this season. They let go of players like Gabi, Fernando Torres and brought in the likes of Rodri, Gelson Martins and France's World Cup winning team-member, Thomas Lemar.
Gelson Martins is talented and has the potential to become a great player in every sense. He has the attributes to shine in the La Liga, but he will be used more on the bench during the first half of the season. If he gets going during that time, he will be used more often in the second half of the season. While Martins provides support on the wings, Rodri will play that supporting role in the midfield. The 22-year old Spanish, defensive midfielder, has been signed from Villareal this season and is a proven quantity. He is a like for like change in the defensive void that is left by the departure of Gabi, and is younger than him. His importance and game time will improve during the course of the season but he will start on the bench for the initial games.
Thomas Lemar is a proven world class player. He was linked with a host of clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool before making a move to the Wanda Metropolitan this summer. He states influence by Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez as the reason behind his decision and playing with his national team mates will improve his game and his understanding with both of them. While Lemar can also play in the centre of the midfield, he also tends to move on the outside of the midfield four to adjust with the situation of the game. He is likely to be a starter in Simeone's team this term given his immense hard work and sheer desire to play the game for the team.
Koke and Saul are the upcoming midfield duo of the Spanish National Team and are likely to start at the centre of the midfield. Although their role in the national team in this year's World Cup was minimal, it will definitely increase, come the 2022 World Cup. Their game has improved under the Simeone and they will likely make the starting line up this season.
