Atlético de Madrid are preparing for their match against Valencia CF with one player certain to be out: Thomas Lemar. The Frenchman, who trained separately throughout the week, was absent from the morning session prior to the clash against Los Che. If he doesn't play against Rubén Baraja 's team, the man from Guadalupe will have spent a whole year without setting foot on the pitch next Monday, since he fell at Mestalla .
The French player is anxious to make a comeback, but the club's doctors have been slowing him down to ensure that he recovers fully. Despite the fact that there are other issues to be resolved, such as his contract and his salary, something that worries Carlos Bucero , the director of football, a lot. He understands that he has already given his best to the team and has looked for an exit for him in the last few days of the transfer market, although without success.
Neither the player wanted just any destination, nor have there been any offers that were interesting enough for the Frenchman. Thomas Lemar is the third most expensive signing in the history of the red-and-white club, only surpassed by Joao Félix and Julián Álvarez . The Argentine arrived at the Colchoneros from England this summer and became the second most valuable player, after the agreement reached with Manchester City for his services.
Simeone wanted to try him for Barrios
With Pablo Barrios out, an interesting window has opened up for the former Monaco player, but he will not be able to play as he has not overcome his discomfort . Diego Pablo Simeone , who has counted on the Frenchman whenever he could, is greatly disappointed. The Argentine is the Frenchman's main supporter and, today, almost the only one left for the skilled extrem, world champion with France in Russia 2018 .
Thomas Lemar 's contract runs until 2028, and his salary is around six million euros per year. It is a huge expense for the Atlético coffers, considering that he is usually very rarely present during the season. Alarming figures: he has only played 178 games with the red and white shirt, of which he has been a starter in 112 with 10 goals and 20 assists .
He has missed almost 100 games
He has missed a total of 97 matches since signing for Atlético Madrid , between the red-and-white team and the French national team. Although he has not been called up to France for a couple of years, for Didier Deschamps he has ceased to be important .
Simeone thinks that with Luis Piñedo he could somehow recover the best version of the player, although it remains to be seen whether he is allowed to do so. It will depend on how the player is, whether he recovers from his injuries and whether he has the chance to compete on equal terms with his teammates at the red-and-white club.
The other big news of the day is that the goalkeepers are perfectly fit and ready to face the Valencian team. Both Jan Oblak and Juan Musso have trained normally.