Antoine Griezmann. What more is there to say about?
A good looking bloke, incredibly good at football and a celebration you want to hate, but really can’t, the French striker has become one of the most marketable players around, alongside his very good friend Paul Pogba.
Contracted to Atlético Madrid, one of the Spain’s top three clubs thanks to Diego Simeone, Griezmann has been linked with pretty much every big club around Europe, and the latest trend appears to be a transfer to Manchester United next summer.
The Pogba friendship has aided the links, as has Griezmann saying he’d like to play at the same club as the Manchester United midfielder.
Even Paul Scholes, who pretty much hates anything Old Trafford related since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure thinks he could be a good signing for José Mourinho.
Clearly having a French press week, Griezmann, who gave an interview to L’Equipe Magazine, also spoke to GQ France, with the monthly magazine dedicating a two page portrait to the former Real Sociedad starlet.
Speaking about various aspects of his life, the 25-year-old opened up about last summer, when speculation of a Simeone exit was rife following a second Champions League final loss at the hands of Real Madrid.
Griezmann said: “I had doubts last summer when the press was talking about the manager’s exit. I called him, he told me he would be staying. Therefore, I did too. I have a lot of respect for him and I’m full of confidence. I still need to be with him, to work with him.
“After that, if he leaves for another club, I’m not necessarily going to follow him. Here, my teammates have taught me a lot. Thanks to them, I reached a new level, I improve each week. I need them and love playing for Atlético. I don’t think I have to go somewhere else to reach new heights.”
Scoring 32 goals in 54 appearances last season, and with nine in 16 so far this season, the reconverted left-winger is enjoying life playing through the middle.
With such stats, and a build-up play to go with the finishing skills, Griezmann is one of the hottest properties in football right now.
If there’s more doubt next summer, however, you can fully expect teams like Manchester United, Chelsea or even Bayern Munich seriously considering matching the player’s release clause, which currently stands at €100m.
