Squad

More than simply Oblak’s deputy, he is a second goalkeeper the team can trust. Sharp reactions and calm distribution allow him to enter matches quickly even when opportunities are limited. Having someone capable of protecting points and cup progress could matter greatly across a long season.

A symbol of Cholismo who injects fighting spirit into Atlético’s defence. His power in the air and aggression when stepping forward remain special, and when fully fit he raises the intensity of the entire back line. The central question in 2026-27 is again whether he can sustain that level across the season.

A left-sided player whose running and quality of delivery can create clear chances. He produced assists in his first season and showed improvement in defensive judgement and resilience as the campaign progressed. In 2026-27, he must preserve that attacking weapon while establishing himself as a dependable two-way starter on the left.

A young midfielder who seems to see the next passing lane as soon as the ball reaches him. Fine touches and broad vision help him escape pressure and open routes into the forward line. In a crowded midfield, 2026-27 is about finding a role that is distinctly his and securing a genuine place in the team.

A balancing midfielder who spots gaps, fills them and moves recovered possession forward without unnecessary risk. His value lies less in spectacular actions than in the range and judgement that allow teammates to advance with confidence. Whether competing with Hjulmand or playing alongside him, he can show that he offers a different kind of stability for different opponents.

The captain and record appearance holder who carries Atlético’s history. His ability to read the speed of a match and deliver the ball precisely where it is needed remains difficult to replace, even as the midfield becomes younger. In 2026-27, his role is not only to organise games himself but also to pass the team’s standards to the next midfield generation.

He is moving beyond the stage of being merely a promising academy player. His ability to turn under pressure and carry the ball forward is difficult to replace in Atlético’s midfield. In 2026-27, the question is whether he can become not the future, but a present-day centrepiece of a title challenge.

A striker whose height and strength can simplify a difficult attack. By holding off defenders he allows teammates to face forward, while crosses and long balls gain a clear destination in the box. He should be more than Plan B: the question is whether, including alongside Álvarez, he can become one of the leading figures in a title-chasing attack.

A creator who can give an attack its answer with a single pass or set piece. Moving inside from the left, he can combine with teammates and influence the final phase, bringing ideas Atlético often lack. If his talent grows beyond isolated flashes and he begins to control matches, the team’s ceiling rises considerably.

A creative attacker who can turn in tight spaces and introduce small moments of disorder into an opposing defence. His close dribbling and final pass contain inspiration that structure alone cannot produce. The question is not whether the talent exists, but how consistently he can deliver it across 90 minutes and an entire season.

For years, he has made match-saving interventions feel routine. More than spectacular dives, his positioning and composure reduce danger before it develops and give the back line confidence. With the defence changing around him, 2026-27 will test whether he can remain the final benchmark of a title-chasing side.

Few players have supported Atlético across as many areas in recent years. His running power barely fades late in matches: he drives attacks forward and has repeatedly sprinted back to extinguish danger. In 2026-27, he should be more than a gap-filler—used where he shines most and allowed to become a two-way pillar.

His timing in behind and willingness to strike from distance give him attacking qualities beyond the usual full-back. When he can face forward on the right, he can be devastating and, with the right combinations, become an important outlet. The challenge is to sustain that edge across the season while remaining reliable defensively.

A centre-back who can solve defending and progression with the same left foot. He secures the back line in the air and in duels, then carries beyond the opposition’s first line. A key question this season is whether he can support Grimaldo’s advances and become the central figure in defence.

Originally an RB, he has expanded his role to RCB and already looks close to becoming a first choice in the back line. At 190 cm, he combines size with speed and composure, winning the ball without diving in before finding a teammate. In 2026-27, the hope is that he becomes an ever-present, high-level option at both RCB and RB and anchors the defence.

The focal point of the front line: he runs, links play and ultimately finishes moves himself. He can shoulder an enormous workload, including defensive duties, but if Atlético are to chase major trophies he must also produce the numbers that win decisive matches. The 2026-27 season will show whether he can become the undisputed star in both name and performance.

His willingness to run at full speed can lift the stands on its own, but his appeal is not limited to effort. Direct sprints and committed pressing push the right side forward, and he carries that momentum into the penalty area. In 2026-27, the aim is to progress from a beloved spark to a starter who also decides matches with goals and assists.

A midfielder whose competitive spirit is more obvious than his youth in every action. His energy and ball-winning bring momentum to matches, while his ability to cover several roles leaves considerable room for growth. In 2026-27, the next step is to move from being a player who can run to one trusted to read and manage the flow of a game.

An attacker who can create a mismatch on his own even against a settled defence. Sharp dribbling and the ability to shoot with either foot allow him to attack goal from wide or central positions. In 2026-27, the challenge is to turn that individual threat into consistent numbers and become the player who wins tight matches.

A major summer signing who brings intensity and order to midfield. He occupies dangerous spaces early and, after regaining the ball, connects the next attack without forcing the play. The quality of Atlético’s midfield in 2026-27 may depend heavily on how much freedom he creates for Barrios and the attackers.

He has not yet given supporters the security they expected when he arrived. At his best, he competes stubbornly with forwards in the air and in duels, cutting out crosses and vertical passes before they become danger. The question for 2026-27 is whether he can reduce the swings in form and needless entanglements, and win back trust amid competition with Pubill.

A new signing whose left foot can change the shape of an attack. He can progress from the touchline, move inside to create the final pass and arrive to finish moves himself. The focus in 2026-27 is whether he can combine that freedom with Simeone’s defensive demands and truly rebuild Atlético’s left side.