Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez signed and ready to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid – how Atletico Madrid could line-up
Atletico Madrid look set to maintain their status as one of Spain's top sides with two big-name arrivals.
Conor Gallagher is travelling to Madrid after agreeing a five-year deal with the club in a £33million move from Chelsea.
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After loan spells at Charlton, Swansea and West Brom, Gallagher had an excellent breakthrough season on loan at Crystal Palace in the 2021/22 campaign.
He picked up eight goals and five assists before returning to Chelsea, for whom he has scored ten goals and assisted another ten in 95 appearances.
However, his time at his boyhood club is coming to an end as he prepares to sign for Atletico, who talkSPORT understands are have agreed a deal worth up to £82m with Manchester City for Julian Alvarez.
Since 2012/13, the capital club have been the main contenders to Barcelona and Real Madrid's dominance.
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They even pipped their rivals to the title in 2014 and 2021.
However, last season they slipped to fourth behind suprise package Girona.
Clearly looking to right the wrongs of the 23/24 campaign, Simeone has gone all-out to land two top Premier League talent.
And marvelbet369.com has looked at how Simeone's side could line-up with their new arrivals.
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Jan Oblak will likely remain as Atletico's starting goalkeeper, with the Slovenian international still one of the very best in his position.
The 31-year-old has kept an excellent 207 clean sheets in 446 appearances across all competitions for the club since signing from Benfica in 2014.
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Simeone opted to go for a 3-5-2 formation throughout much of last season and it's a system that could prove effective once again.
Mario Hermoso, Stefan Savic, Çaglar Soyuncu and Gabriel Paulista are all centre-backs who have left this summer, so Jose Maria Gimenez could be in line to start in their back three.
He endured various injury issues in the previous campaign but having made 318 appearances over the past decade, he's a reliable option in defence.
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Joining him in the backline could be new signing Robin Le Normand, who has joined from Real Sociedad for around €34.5m [£29.6m] as per reports.
The 27-year-old, who was in Spain's Euro 2024 winning squad, is a brave defender who possesses great awareness and the ability to send accurate long-balls to the wings.
Axel Witsel could be the final starting centre-back for Simeone next season amid his new-found success as a defender.
After playing mostly in midfield for Borussia Dortmund, the Belgian has predominantly featured at the back for Atletico since he signed in 2022 and at 35, he has a depth of experience to his name.
Starting on the right of the midfield may be Marcos Llorente, a position he played in throughout much of the 2023/24 campaign.
Although he is naturally a central midfielder, his dribbling and crossing make him an ideal candidate to operate in wider areas.
On the opposite side could be Samuel Lino, who scored eight goals and assisted another eight for Atletico last season.
The Brazilian can also play further forward as a left-winger if needed but may well be on course to start more towards the middle.
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Sitting at the centre of midfield although potentially in a slightly more advanced role could be the incoming Chelsea man Gallagher.
There is a sense that his work rate and tireless energy will make him a somewhat perfect fit under Simeone, with the England international also able to score and create goals.
Captain Koke looks set to remain as a key starter for Atletico, with the 32-year-old about to play in his 16th season at the club.
Joining him and Gallagher as the third central midfielder could be Rodrigo De Paul, a composed runner with the ball with a keen eye for through-ball.
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Making up the attack is likely to be Antoine Griezmann, Atletico's all-time record scorer with 181 goals in 389 appearances.
He is set to be joined by Alvarez, despite interest from Arsenal.
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The Argentine international will get the game time he wants and will want to improve on the 19 goals he got last season.
Atletico have also signed forward Alexander Sorloth from Villarreal for a reported €32m [£27m] after netting 26 times last season, so he's another strong option for Simeone.
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