Don’t cry for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid. The manager and his club are used to players arriving and departing from the Estadio Vicente Calderón.
What would be concerning for fans of Los Colchoneros is if the club’s hierarchy didn’t have a contingency plan in place in regards to player transfers.
But as the past has proven, Atletico Madrid don’t sell one of their own unless they have a replacement lined up or ready to step in.
It started with the transfer of Fernando Torres in 2007.
Over the course of six seasons in Madrid, the striker had scored 82 goals and was linked with moves throughout Europe. When his transfer was finally completed to Liverpool, Atletico had already signed a young Argentinian striker by the name of Sergio Aguero, as well as Uruguayan scoring machine Diego Forlan from Villareal.
A few years later, when Aguero and David de Gea completed their moves to the Premier League, Atletico Madrid used money from those transfers to purchase Colombian striker Radamel Falcao from Porto; while bringing in 20-year-old Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois as cover in goal.
When Falcao was sold to AS Monaco for £52.8 million ($85.4 million), taking his 52 goals in 67 appearances to France, Atletico Madrid were comfortable with their decision because they had Diego Costa waiting in the wings.
The Brazilian striker would score 35 goals last season and help lead Los Rojiblancos to a La Liga title, as well as a Champions League final runner-up.
Now Madrid have lost Thibaut Courtois (end of loan), Filipe Luis (transfer) and Diego Costa (transfer) to Chelsea Football Club. But replacements have already been brought in and more are on the radar.
Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak has been bought from SL Benfica. The 21-year-old shot stopper was named the best keeper in Portugal last season.
A week ago, Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic was signed to a four-year contract and will be the immediate replacement to Costa at striker. The Croatian international was rumored to be of interest to Arsenal and a number of European clubs.
And now Atletico Madrid are rumored to be lining up Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno as a replacement for Filipe Luis. News from Spain this morning is that the La Liga club are leading Liverpool in the chase to sign the 22-year-old defender.
The club have also signed Guilherme Siqueira from Granada CF as cover for the loss of Luis.
Atletico Madrid does not waste time dwelling on losses, whether they are on or off the pitch.
Their manager Diego Simeone has a philosophy that he has repeated time and time again, stating that his team lives “game by game”.
As they were progressing towards the La Liga title last season, Atletico Madrid never allowed themselves to get caught up in the fans’ celebrations or concerns following each match. They just focused on the next match.
It’s part of the club’s DNA.
Atletico Madrid prepare for what lies ahead of them better than most clubs in European soccer.
