ATLETICO MADRID REMAIN confident that they can keep Antoine Griezmann, with Manchester United transfer links considered to be a “game”.
The France international forward spent much of the summer being heavily linked with a big-money move to Old Trafford, only to see an embargo in the Spanish capital bring an end to the rumours.
Griezmann eventually ended up committing to a new contract through to 2022 , although that has done little to curb the endless rounds of speculation regarding his future.
It has been suggested that the 26-year-old will finally depart the Wanda Metropolitano at the conclusion of the 2017-18 campaign, but Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has moved to quash such talk.
He told Marca : “We have put in a lot of effort to keep him and to keep all the players. The problem Griezmann has had is that a series of news stories about other important European clubs wanting him has not benefitted him.
“Griezmann is and will be an Atletico player. He is an important player and at an important club and he wants to win titles with Atletico.
“He may have had a start to the season which could have been better, but there is a lot left of the La Liga season for him to show how important he is for the club and how important football is for him.”
When asked about Griezmann’s flirting with United in the close season, Cerezo added: “What important player doesn’t play this kind of game? They all do.”
Cerezo has also backed Griezmann to rediscover his best form domestically when Atletico take in a derby date with arch-rivals Real Madrid next Saturday.
The Frenchman has endured a testing start to the current campaign, netting just three goals in 13 appearances in all competitions – with his last strike coming in a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Chelsea on September 27.
Griezmann did, however, find the net in France’s 2-0 friendly victory over Wales on Friday and is expected to now open the floodgates.
“He hasn’t had much luck at the start of this season,” added Cerezo.
“He had a fantastic end to the previous season and he is still considered one of the best three players in the world. The advantage is that he is younger and has more of a future than the other two.
“Everybody has their moments. It may be the case that he’s not going through the best one right now, but I am convinced that it won’t take long for him to be what we all want him to be once again, the Griezmann that he is.
“After all he has shown, there’s no reason to doubt him or lose confidence in him because of playing five matches not so well.
“He will be the same old Griezmann against Real Madrid, one which is feared by defences and loved by Atletico fans.”
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I’m absolutely shocked. I can’t believe that in June of 2015 people in Waterford are still recording phone videos in portrait mode. Disgraceful.
I’m shocked as well, they’re playing club hurling in the summer? Down with that sort of thing.
The tall streak of piss in the white helmet and white jersey should get a long holiday from hurling
Spot on Ron. There’s a line you don’t cross in hurling regardless of what’s going on. And striking someone on the head with a hurley us one of them. The WCB have access to all the evidence they need to hand out the appropriate suspension to that guy.
He should never play hurling again after that cowardly shot. Drop your hurl and fight if you really want to fight, toe rag.
classy lady I’d say she is
In the longer clip its more obvious that Dessie is the ref, thats who shes shouting at. Shes not encouraging the fight
she s blaming the ref, not the dirt bag who breaks his hurl of the oppositions neck. lovely, the whole lot of it
I wonder what started that? A few handbags and a bit of pushing and shoving is alright but striking another player across the head with a hurl is despicable.
That tool should never be allowed to play hurling again.
Here’s a 3 min clip of it. One very vocal woman seems to think the only person to blame is the ref! Nothing to do with the lads punching the heads off each other.
http://www.joe.ie/sport/video-waterford-club-hurling-championship-match-marred-by-violent-scenes-as-mass-schemozzle-breaks-out/500650?utm_content=buffer6f7e5&utm_medium=Social+organic&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer
words fail me, for the behaviour bo th on and off the pitch
*both
It’s hard for parents to send the children to play GAA when this type of behaviour is not punished
“Ah will ye stop!”
Bite her kellly!!!
Hit him Frank, or I’ll hit him for ya!
Poor aul Dessie !!
hand bags