It’s fair to say that Sergio Reguilón’s loan move to Atlético Madrid has not gone how he or Tottenham might have hoped it would.
The defender joined the Spanish side on loan in the summer when it was made clear there was no place for him in Antonio Conte’s plans this season.
The hope was that he could establish himself under Diego Simeone and perhaps set up a future transfer, particularly given Renan Lodi’s move to Nottingham Forest had opened up a spot for him to fill.
That has not happened, though, with Reguilón failing to convince Simeone and set to return to Tottenham in the summer.
Marca cover that today saying he ‘has not played a single minute’ in five games and, despite now being in the second half of the season, he is yet to start a single game during his loan.
Simeone has considered giving him his chance but has been held back by the Spaniard’s ‘footballing shortcomings’ and the major one is his lack of defensive skills.
The club have highlighted how good he is going forwards and can make a difference and contribute a lot but he has a ‘big problem’ when it comes to defending.
That’s a ‘big problem’ for Atlético who have swapped to a back four and need their full-backs to provide ‘safety’ more than anything else.
Therefore Reguilón has to continue working, learning from Simeone’s ‘tactical teachings’ and waiting for an opportunity to make his mark.
That seems unlikely to happen, though, with Reinildo fit and impressing the Argentine coach more than the Tottenham loanee.
