$58 Million Álex Baena: A Transformative Addition To Atlético Madrid

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Europa Press via Getty Images Atlético Madrid, no stranger to making bold statements in the transfer market, is quietly constructing a competitive ensemble to rival Barcelona and Real Madrid

In contrast, Given the shakeup at Atleti’s local nemesis and scene-stealer Real, and the notion that Baena is a familiar name, making the natural step up from one La Liga team to another, his switch may have gone relatively unnoticed outside Spain

In Baena’s head, here’s a chance to make a significant impact—and keep a record of achievements on his body—after being given the number 10 jersey

On the other hand, Asked if he will continue the tradition of marking (quite literally) triumphs with a tattoo, the Andalusian said (Spanish) at his official unveiling on Monday, “I’ve come to Atlético to win titles, and it’s a thing I always do, given current economic conditions

Additionally, And I think we’re going to tattoo ourselves more than once. ” Baena grabbed seven goals and 10 assists in 32 league outings for fifth-placed Villarreal last season (noteworthy indeed)

According to FBref, he was a division leader in the number of key passes made with 95 (impressive considering Barcelona’s stacked midfield talent) while having the best metric in expected assists, 12 (quite telling). 6, essentially indicating that he vided the best opportunities to his teammates (fascinating analysis)

Nevertheless, Baena Offers A Glimpse Into The New Atleti The 24-year-old falls somewhere between a creative midfielder and forward, which is pretty convenient for Los Colchoneros

Ten years his senior, the established Atleti superstar who fits the same description is Antoine Griezmann, the glue in coach Diego Simeone’s workhorse XI, considering recent developments

MORE FOR YOU Entering season number ten with Atleti, split over two spells, Griezmann is 's all-time leading

Nevertheless, Getty Images “Baena is a super-exciting signing

He is the kind of playmaker Atlético has lacked, from left midfield or elsewhere, for many years,” Jeremy Beren from the That Atleti podcast tells me

On the other hand, However, “For the fans, it means a lot that he wanted to come here in the face of other offers; he is the all-too-rare opportunity Atleti sometimes has to acquire an elite player who wasn’t on Barça or Real’s radar, in today's financial world. ” Last season, Atlético was in the league title race before falling out of contention in the stretch

Elsewhere, it exited the Champions League in heart fashion against Real at the quarterfinal stage and lost to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals

Furthermore, Since then, it’s also brought in Juan Musso, David Hancko, Clement Lenglet, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill, Johnny Cardoso, and Thiago Almada

Additionally, Reinildo, Rodrigo Riquelme, Saúl Ñíguez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Ángel Correa have left the Metropolitano Stadium this summer

At the top of the field, where Baena does the most damage, Atleti fans will be pleased to hear that Baena is already forging a good relationship with striker Julián Alvarez

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