LaLiga: Why Atletico should prioritise keeping Oblak and could do without the Griezmann drama

It’s safe to say Atletico Madrid haven’t really found their rhythm so far this season. The transfer ban didn’t help matters as Diego Simeone looked to freshen up his squad after yet another Champions League heartbreak. While their overall progression is reason to be optimistic, it was clear that Simeone felt he lacked something different in one or two areas of the squad. Those reinforcements will need to wait until January by which time it might be too late.

Simeone’s main target, Diego Costa, is finally ‘home’ but is limited to training sessions until the window opens again. This move, one which Simeone has worked on for two years now, brought about fresh questions over Antoine Griezmann’s future. The Frenchman has been the shining light since he replaced Costa at the club. So many other ‘strikers’ failed to live up to the expectations demanded by Simeone, but Griezmann was the one constant. Even still, his future was called into question before the acquisition of Costa.

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Despite United’s interest, Griezmann remains at Atletico

If you believe the rumours and not so subtle hints, Griezmann wanted to join Manchester United a few months ago. The English club made it clear that his buyout clause wouldn’t be a problem, nor would upping his weekly salary. Jose Mourinho wanted his team to carry a stronger goal threat. Griezmann’s versatility meant he could cover the main striker role or play just behind. The temptation to move was genuine.

Admirably Griezmann displayed something most modern footballers lack: loyalty. With Atletico unable to sign players for another six months, his exit would’ve left them extremely short in attack. The trio of Kevin Gameiro, Angel Correa and Luciano Vietto doesn’t quite carry the same threat. Instead his ‘dream’ move was put on hold, perhaps indefinitely.

Poor form but there’s interest from Barcelona

Even though Griezmann chose to stay, it hardly appears like his head is at the club right now. A woeful start to the season has seen him score just two goals in his opening nine league matches. In the Champions League, where Atletico are struggling, he has a solitary goal which came against Chelsea. There’s a lot more to come from Griezmann but he’s proving to be toothless in front of goal so far.

This dip in form doesn’t appear to be putting off potential suitors however. In the build-up to the Madrid derby this weekend, Barcelona are keen on signing the Frenchman next summer. With Luis Suarez also way below his best, Griezmann is the perfect replacement. It would allow Griezmann to make the step up in his career but also remain in Spain.

Yet while Griezmann is still attracting interest despite his slump in form, Atletico need to make sure they prioritise securing Jan Oblak to a new deal above all else.

Oblak didn’t get a new deal when other key squad members did

This summer saw Griezmann, Saul Ñiguez and Koke all sign improved deals. It was a statement of intent by the club that the core of the team needed to stay together. But the absence of Jan Oblak in that list is worrying. The club either didn’t see fit to offer him a new deal or the player didn’t want to enter negotiations. And it may not be a popular opinion but finding a goalkeeper to replace Oblak is tougher than finding a striker to replace Griezmann.

Atletico are still fighting to find the right balance in the team but Oblak remains their top performer. Six clean sheets in eleven LaLiga matches means the Slovenian stopper is only second to Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the race for the Zamora Trophy. Without Oblak, that steely defence falls apart.

When people discuss the best goalkeepers in the world it appears many forget to include Oblak. David de Gea, Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon are the main contenders. All three play for ‘bigger’ clubs than Oblak but in terms of quality, he’s at least their equal.

The consistency in producing top quality performances make him invaluable for someone like Atletico. If he replaced any of the three names previously mentioned, you’ll see how quickly people would cotton onto the idea of him being the best goalkeeper in the world.

Atletico’s defence isn’t as strong, but Oblak keeps saving them

As we all know, Atletico are a defensive-first, tough to break down unit. It’s well drilled, full of endeavour and the players appear to have very high energy levels. They’re uncomfortable to play against as they try and smother you from the beginning. But even still, it’ll surprise you how many times Oblak has to save his team.

It’s difficult for goalkeepers to truly gain recognition. The most active tend to play for lesser sides with weaker defences. With little or no protection, they appear more often. However at the biggest teams you are generally needed less often and get praised for merely doing the basics. Oblak, in that regard, breaks the mould.

Ahead of him Diego Godin is showing signs of decline, particularly in the Champions League. He was one of the best defenders in the country but to see him being torn apart by Qarabag felt inhumane. His natural replacement, Jose Maria Gimenez, continues to be used sparingly. Stefan Savic, Godin’s centre back partner, is too inconsistent and weak.

In the full-back positions you have the world class Filipe Luis and experienced Juanfran. The former is picking up injuries more frequently than in previous campaigns and his influence down the left is a huge miss. As for Juanfran he, more than Godin, is finding it tough this year. His erratic performances add even more instability to the back four and as such, this gives Oblak more work to do.

PSG are circling

Last summer PSG enquired as to Oblak’s availability but were met with a firm “buyout clause or nada” response. As we later saw, PSG used their money to purchase another LaLiga superstar instead but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them – and others – move for Oblak next year.

With player prices going through the roof, the €100m it’d cost to sign Oblak is looking cheaper by the day. He makes on average 3.5 saves per game, more than Keylor Navas (2.8) and ter Stegen (2.5) according to WhoScored.

€100m, in today’s market, is cheap

Oblak is an active goalkeeper, at a top club, and is available for cheaper than any of the other stoppers around his level. At 24 he’s three years younger than De Gea, seven younger than Neuer and 15 years Buffon’s junior. Just €100m for goalkeeper who has another what, minimum eight years, at the top?

Atletico already have Griezmann’s replacement to look forward to in January. If it works out as intended, the loss shouldn’t affect too much. However the idea of losing Oblak presents an even greater challenge. It’s imperative that he is valued in the same bracket as Griezmann, Koke and Saul. He’s irreplaceable.

If he doesn’t sign a new deal soon then it’s hard to imagine no one matching his buyout clause in the summer.