It’s fair to say that while Newcastle United fans are loving life at the minute, not everyone feels the same, and it seems Atletico Madrid are in that group.
That’s at least what Marca hint at today, covering how the Spanish side could have had current Newcastle stars Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes in their side.
They explain one ‘was Atleticos’, that’s Trippier, and the other, Guimaraes, ‘could have been’ the club’s as well if things had turned down different.
While Trippier was allowed to leave the club after making it clear he wanted to return to England, Guimaraes is a different story.
The idea of signing him and paying his release clause was ‘discarded’ by the club, despite them having a ‘preferential option’ on him before he moved to Lyon.
The Brazilian later admitted that nobody from the club called him, a decision they are now regretting as he is ‘triumphing’ with Newcastle in the Premier League.
He’s now part of Brazil’s World Cup squad and has even been mentioned as a possible target for Real Madrid, courtesy of his impressive performances and the fact he ‘destroys and builds’ in equal measure.
Trippier, meanwhile, is looking likely to be a part of England’s squad for Qatar after establishing himself as the leader of this Newcastle team and sitting third for chances created in the whole of the Premier League.
Atletico are sorely missing his creativity and defensive strength in their team, with none of the replacements brought in since his departure working out as yet.
Both he and Guimaraes ‘shine at Newcastle’, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed at Atletico, who know they ‘could be’ doing it there but for their own mistakes.
