Infographic shows insane Atletico Madrid lineup without player sales

A new infographic has shown exactly what the Atletico Madrid lineup could look like if the club had not sold any players – and it is packed full of firepower.

Atletico Madrid are reigning La Liga champions, with a side that has impressive amounts of talent.

That starts in goal. Jan Oblak is one of the world’s best shot-stoppers. The Slovenian has won La Liga’s Zamora Trophy – for the best goals-to-games ratio – on five different occasions.

Diego Simeone’s sides are renowned for their defensive solidity. The team conceded just 25 goals on their way to winning the La Liga title this season. This season’s tally of 30 goals conceded from 22 games is a big part of their failure to put up an adequate title defence.

There is also immense talent in forward areas. Marcos Llorente scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists last season. Joao Felix cost the club €126 million and has shown glimpses of his best talent, whilst Luis Suarez is still a significant goalscoring threat even at 35.

Read: Joao Felix opens up on injury hell during second season at Atletico Madrid

But a new infographic from Transfermarkt has shown what Atletico’s team could have looked like had they not sold any players. According to the same website, the club has recouped over £700 million in outgoing transfers since 2014.

What could Atletico’s starting XI have looked like?

Image Credit: Transfermarkt/Instagram

Transfermarkt posted the club’s most valuable XI, made up of players who either currently play or have played for Atletico Madrid in the past. Most of the players are entering, or are in the midst of, their prime years.

It contains four current permanent Atletico players. Jan Oblak, Jose Gimenez, Joao Felix and Marcos Llorente are included. Antoine Griezmann is at the club on loan from Barcelona.

The Atletico Madrid defence

Image Credit: Getty

In the defence, three players have departed Atletico Madrid in recent years.

Kieran Trippier left the club to join Newcastle United in the January transfer window. He made 68 La Liga appearances for Atletico, providing 10 assists.

Lucas Hernandez came through the Atletico Madrid youth system, making 67 appearances for the club. He made headlines with his impressive performances at the 2018 World Cup, helping France to win the tournament. Predominantly a full-back who can also play in central areas, Bayern Munich signed Hernandez for a club-record fee of £68 million in the same summer.

Theo Hernandez is currently starring for AC Milan. He has racked up an incredible 17 goals and 12 assists from left-back in two-and-a-half seasons in Serie A.

The Frenchman began his career in the Atletico Madrid youth system alongside his brother Lucas. After an impressive loan spell with Alaves in 2015/16, Real Madrid triggered his €24 million release clause.

The Atletico Madrid midfield

Thomas Partey Atletico Madrid
Image Credit: Getty

Two players in the best XI midfield have since moved on to the Premier League.

Manchester City signed midfielder Rodri from Atletico for a club-record fee of £62.8 million in 2019. The Spanish midfielder has impressed Citizens fans with his physicality, composure on the ball and tough tackling. He also scores important goals, as seen with his last-minute winner against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in January.

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On the opposing side that day was Gunners midfielder Thomas Partey. For several years, the Ghanaian star was an important squad player in Diego Simeone’s setup. He racked up 123 appearances for the club before Arsenal triggered his £45 million release clause in summer 2020.

The Atletico Madrid strikeforce

Alongside current players Marcos Llorente and Joao Felix in the frontline is Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. The Portuguese forward is valued at €60 million by Transfermarkt.

Jota signed for Atletico from Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira in 2016, but never played a senior game for the club. He spent a year on loan at Porto, before being loaned out to Championship side Wolves. During their eventual promotion season, the club announced they would be triggering an option to permanently bring Jota to the club.

Featured Image Credit: Getty