WHILE replacing departing star Antoine Griezmann looks a real challenge for Atletico Madrid this summer, the best option could be staring Diego Simeone and his fellow rojiblanco transfer decision makers in the face.
Juventus’ unsettled Paulo Dybala is maybe the biggest name mentioned in the Spanish press, but is not an immediately obvious fit with Simeone’s preferred style of play. Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno has the La Liga experience, but is too similar to current forwards Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa.
Benfica starlet Joao Felix has the right connections, but is already probably out of Atletico’s price range. There are also clear issues around others mentioned including Dusan Tadic, Marco Reus, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and pretty much every possible available attacker in Europe short of Gareth Bale and Kylian Mbappe.
Ernesto Valverde on Antoine Griezmann: "I've always said that [Griezmann] is a great player. If he ends up coming to Barça, we will see [where we will fit him in the team]." [marca] #fcb pic.twitter.com/dyDSbCUmqd
— Barça Lassa (@barcalassa) May 19, 2019
Asked last week how he is approaching the problem, Simeone suggested he wanted a hungry youngster who would see Atletico as a springboard. “We want someone who can cover three quarters of the field very well, score 20 goals a season, and is available cheap,” Simeone said with a laugh, before continuing more seriously.
“He will have to be motivated and excited to wear this shirt. It is difficult to get a ready made superstar. [But we can get] a Griezmann from Real Sociedad, who can become a Griezmann of the future. Or a Rodrigo from Villarreal. Or a Jan Oblak from Portugal.”
That was perhaps more revealing than Simeone planned. Whether consciously or not, he appeared to suggest the best place to look for a new Griezmann was back at their departing star’s old club. Easily the best thing David Moyes did as Real Sociedad manager was to give a then recently turned 18 Mikel Oyarzabal a La Liga debut in October 2015.
Moyes did not last much longer, but the youngster was soon starting regularly at Anoeta. His game intelligence was as impressive as his physical maturity as he featured in all 38 league games in his first full senior season.
The ‘same route’ option. Mikel Oyarzabal has grown enormously at Real Sociedad in recent years, becoming a talismanic figure. While he may be progressing, his club are not. Does he follow Griezmann’s path so he can step up a level as a player? His release clause stands at €75m. pic.twitter.com/HWwNHp5Fx5
— Talking LaLiga (@TalkingLaLiga) May 15, 2019
Oyarzabal has continued to progress quickly, even as his team have struggled collectively for consistency and kept changing coaches. 2017/18 brought 14 goals and eight assists across all competitions. Last October he became the second youngest player in La Real’s history to reach 100 LaLiga appearances.
A total of 13 goals in 37 appearances this term is not mind-blowing, but Oyarzabal did just turn 22 last April, and his general influence on games is arguably much higher than Griezmann's at a similar stage of their careers.
Versatility is also a plus – according to transfermarkt, through 2018/19 Oyarzabal played 19 times on the left wing, 13 times on the right wing, and five times centrally behind the front man. Wherever positioned he makes sure to get involved in general play, while also arriving in the penalty area at the right time. He can also pick his moments – scoring decisive goals both home and away against Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao this season. It all sounds ideal for Simeone.
Eibar-born Oyarzabal does not have the glamour of a Dybala or ‘new Ronaldo’ Joao Felix, and his Instagram game is still way behind that of Griezmann or even his fellow young Basque attacker Inaki Williams of Athletic. That is unlikely to be a problem for the Argentine either.
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The biggest issue stopping a summer deal might be convincing the level-headed Oyarzabal to leave San Sebastian. His current contract runs until 2024, with a reported release clause of €75 million, agreed when Athletic tried to tempt him away last summer. He is also not one to make a scene off the pitch, and has not yet seen the need to take on a professional agent.
“I’m happy here, enjoying my football and my life,” he typically told El Desmarque earlier this month. “I’m learning a lot and I want to keep improving, working and battling hard. I’ve got everything here to achieve my dreams. I hope to be here for many more years.”
The txuri-urdin board don’t want to sell either, with their finances solid despite an expensive rebuild of Anoeta, and another €24 million soon incoming from the sell-on clause included when Griezmann left. La Real missing out on Europa League qualification for next season could be an opening for Atletico though.
U23 goal conversion rate in Europe’s top five leagues this season (10+ goals):
Jadon Sancho (19) – 41%
Anthony Martial (23) – 33%
Kylian Mbappe (20) – 31%
Mikel Oyarzabal (22) – 26%
Leroy Sane (23) – 25%Clinical. pic.twitter.com/cRN8Hw4ENJ
— SidelineScouted (@SidelineScouted) May 16, 2019
And Oyarzabal’s ambitions may be widened by a first proper senior Spain call-up for the coming Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Sweden. Then comes next months' U-21 Euros in Italy, where he should gain wider international recognition in a typically strong Spanish side.
So Oyarzabal may need convincing, but he does look ideal for Simeone and ready for the next step. Those looking for the 'new Griezmann' should remember where they picked up the last one.
