Meet and Greet - Atleti Edition

By: Andrey | August 8th, 2007

forlan b&w The team’s busiest summer ever has brought on whatlooks like a tremendous offensive squad, enough to compete in all 3 competitions, let’s hope they can all gel…Here are the new guys…

Diego Forlan - Looking to take over Torres’ main striker role, he was great last season with Villareal, even without Roman. Already showing off, scored the winning goal that put the team in the UEFA Cup. Should be phenomenal with the Trident providing him as many scoring chances as he can manage.

Jose Reyes - Apparently turn down a return to Real so that he could live out his boyhood dream of playing for the colchoneros, where can we get more of this guys? Has always showed that he could be great but has yet to reach that level, this will be his best chance to get there since he will be an important part of the new trident with Maxi and Simao.

Simao - Back in Spain after a not so great time with Barça. Has impressed in the preseason. As he should after a transfer of 20 million euros ($27.3 million).

Luis Garcia - A true colchonero returns to the team that should have never let him go in the first place. Already scored in the preseason against Lazio, though he left hurt he’s apparently ready for action. Not sure how Aguirre will use him but he looks to be an important player this season.

Christian Abbiati - An experienced keeper that takes over Pichu Cuellar as the main backup. After Pichu’s horrible showing last season a change was needed, Abbiati comes thanks to the Milan pipeline that has loaned other players in the past.

Cleber Santana - Arrives from Santos, he looks good on youtube clips. Has yet to make his debut with the first team, since the team was over the non-EU limit, but now that Perea has been nationalized the spot is been cleared for him to play.

Diego Costa - A young Brazilian forward that comes from Sporting Braga. Looks to be loaned out to get him some more first team experience.

“No esta aqui”
Fernando Torres - Off to better pastures after achieving icon status. Wish him luck with Liverpool.

Gabi - After not getting enough first team chances has moved to the newly rebuilt Zaragoza, another team that has reloaded on all fronts.

Luciano Galletti - Off to Greece with Olympiakos.

Martin Petrov - After being injured for most of his only season in Madrid, moves to the blue side of Manchester to be part of the Ericksson regime.

Arizmendi - After looking good as Deportivo’s only attacking option last season, Atletico bought him back only to sell him to Valencia, so that he misses open chances at the Riazor.

“Is he or is he not”
Juan Roman Riquelme - Rumors were hot that he was going to join ol’ pal Forlan at the Calderon, they have cooled off since. I don’t see him coming, plus I don’t think he would be a good fit for this team, as great as Roman is he needs the ball all the time to be productive and with the Trident he wouldn’t get his way as much as he did on those Villareal teams that he made look amazing.

Javi Garcia - A Spanish U-20 international from Madrid’s youth system, he wants first team action and won’t get it with Real. A few teams are after him, he has his eyes set on the rojiblancos but Real doesn’t want him there. We will see soon who wins this one out.

Nicola Legrottaglie - Italian defender that played 28 times with Juventus last season, but the Old Lady doesn’t want him anymore. He looks to arrive on a free. If this means that Eller is out I’m all for it, plus it’ll free up a non-EU spot, double whammy!!