According to multiple reports, Atletico Madrid sensation Antoine Griezmann has been a lucrative target for many big clubs in Europe with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, all interested in the French international.
Among all those pursuing, French outlet Mercato365 has claimed that Chelsea are making preparations for the big money to waive off any competition from Manchester United or PSG, who also have the financial prowess to land him, who is one of Europe’s best strikers at the moment. He has also been recently labeled La Liga’s best player in 2016.
Griezmann’s release clause is reportedly in the region of 100 million euros, which Chelsea are planning to pay. Griezmann played an instrumental part in taking France to the Euros 2016 final. He has so far scored 63 goals in 115 appearances for Atletico Madrid.
The versatile striker can play as a centre-forward, right forward and also as an attacking midfield when needed, which makes him a very valuable asset for any club especially in the English Premier League that demands more squad depth owing to its hectic schedule. Griezmann is good in almost aspects a forward could possibly be good at. He holds the ball well, his passing accuracy is good, his headers are solid, his finishing has drawn accolades from all across the world and his long shots are a treat to watch.
What he could possibly lack in the English league is the physicality. The 175cm player does not have the needed to dominate the game with most defenders tall and strong enough to keep him off the ball. The La Liga is comparatively less strength dependent where technique alone does the work for the players. Hence, the high profile target might get lost in a whole sea of players, who were deemed ‘unfit for Premier league’.
As far as his game time is concerned, Chelsea at the moment are highly reliable on Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, who have been quite blunt the previous season, which consequently has lowered expectation from the players. As a result, Griezmann is likely to get straight into the first team if comes to Chelsea. Similarly with Manchester United, who are yet to find any spark of sharpness from their designated strikers, Ibrahimovic, Martial, Rashford, and Mkhitaryan. Griezmann could really be weighing his options with such mouthwatering offers available.
The striker already has 6 goals and 2 assists in the La Liga this season in the 8 appearances he had for Atletico Madrid. Although he is yet to open his account in the Champions League, he has bagged an assist.
