Julian Alvarez Returns to Atletico Madrid Squad Amid Tension

Julian Alvarez is back in the Atletico Madrid squad, but the air around him is anything but clear.

The Argentina forward, at the heart of a storm over his desire to leave for Barcelona, has been named among the substitutes for Atletico’s La Liga clash with Villarreal. Diego Simeone has opted to start without a recognised centre-forward, yet still made room for Alvarez on the bench after leaving him out entirely for the midweek win over Malaga.

Press Conference Remarks

Simeone had already set the tone on the eve of the game.

“Julian Alvarez will be in the squad tomorrow,” he said in his press conference. “For me, Julian is an extremely important player for us to achieve our objectives. As long as he’s with the team, I’m going to look after him.”

Those words came at the end of a chaotic week. Alvarez trained with the group at Majadahonda, but the mood around the complex had turned. Sections of the Atletico support, angered by his push to join Barcelona, made their feelings brutally clear with posters around the training ground reading “JULIAN FUERA” – “JULIAN OUT” – with his No. 19 crossed out.

The message was blunt. The situation is not.

Alvarez is understood to be frustrated after Atletico blocked a move to Barcelona, the club he wants. Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have also been in contact over a potential switch to the Emirates, but that option does not carry the same pull for the former Manchester City forward.

Support from Simeone

Inside the club, though, Simeone has chosen to close ranks around his player.

“I respect our fans. I always have, but I don’t agree with insults or abuse,” the Atletico coach insisted. “Every word is being scrutinised by people waiting to create conflict and uncertainty. There is no uncertainty. Miguel was very clear. He is our player and we need him.”

The previous explanation for Alvarez’s absence had been purely physical. Before the Malaga game, Simeone said the World Cup winner was not ready after an extended break.

“We don’t believe Julián Alvarez is in the right condition to play or take part for tomorrow’s game,” he said then. “Hopefully, over these next four days, he’ll make further progress and we’ll be closer to where we want him to be.”

Four days on, Alvarez is back in the squad. The inclusion suggests at least a working truce between player and club, even if the tension with sections of the fanbase lingers.

At the same time, Atletico continue to be linked with attacking reinforcements. The club have been named among the frontrunners to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with reports in Spain claiming the Senegal international has already “said yes” to a move.

So Alvarez sits on the bench against Villarreal, his future still clouded, his coach still backing him, and another striker already being lined up in the background.