Atlético's new signings arrive hungry to prove themselves

Alberto Carballo sees a pattern in the signings: Grimaldo, Kuti, Kangin and Jonathan David have come to prove something. A profile that, in his view, could take Atleti to the next level.

Following Simeone's comment about going down in the club's history, Alberto Carballo identifies a common profile among the players who arrived this summer: they are all looking to prove themselves at Atlético de Madrid.

He goes through the cases one by one. Grimaldo missed out on playing at the World Cup because Cucurella was ahead of him and wants to show he deserves his place. Kuti Romero was very important at Tottenham without having that kind of profile on a global scale; he already wears the Argentina captain's armband and now arrives to lead Atlético's defence. Kangin was a significant player at PSG, but not a difference-maker. And Jonathan David arrives after being booed by Juventus fans in the final league game.

For Carballo, that profile of a footballer who wants to take a step up in his career, gaining relevance and recognition by making the team better, is what can take Atleti to the next level. And he offers a figure to back it up: of the 19 goals the team has scored so far, nine have come from new players.