Diego Simeone has said he wants his players to give more when Antoine Griezmann is not performing, while adding that new signing Diego Costa is not guaranteed a starting spot when he is available to play in January.
Griezmann was taken off with 25 minutes remaining in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Leganes, and the France international himself admitted to disappointment with his contribution after the previous Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea in the Champions League.
Diego Simeone has said he is always looking to work his players up to give more to the club, while maintaining that Griezmann had “spoiled” Atletico by winning games for them in the past.
“I feel that I am the ideal coach for Atletico at the moment,” Simeone said. “I whip myself if a player does not give the maximum they can give. With Griezmann that is not the case, he is an outstanding player and has spoiled us. If he does not score there is a gap. [Last summer] I was convinced he would not leave. I like him a lot.”
“Of the players who could bring us closer to the top, Diego Costa was the chosen one,” Simeone said.
“A different player of his quality maybe we could not afford to pay. The fans want to see the Costa who left us.
“Of the players we have had, he is the one who most surprised me. He brings together goals, hard work, effort and leadership. I imagine Costa and Vitolo finding it tough to get into the team. I look at who we have at the moment. They will have to work to earn their places.”
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