Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, addressed the situation surrounding Julian Alvarez’s absence from the team’s upcoming match against Sevilla, stating he would ‘do everything he can’ to ensure the forward feels valued and integral to the club’s success. The situation, however, remains fluid, with uncertainty surrounding Alvarez’s future at the Spanish powerhouse, particularly given the clear indication that he will not be traveling with Atletico for Saturday’s La Liga game at Sevilla. It comes as Atletico Madrid has publicly stated they will not sell him to Barcelona, with a potential move to Arsenal being the only viable option for the striker. Simeone confirmed Alvarez will not travel with the team, stating he’s currently experiencing ‘health issues’ following a missed third consecutive training session on Friday. He explained that the missed training session was a result of an undisclosed condition and that he’s not currently in optimal health, necessitating a period of rest and recovery. ‘From the moment he returns to training,’ Simeone said, ‘I will do everything I can to make him feel important,’ confirming a commitment to providing the forward with the support he requires. Simeone also acknowledged that, while the situation could potentially be reversed, the club has already been ‘forceful and clear’ in their stance regarding Alvarez’s wish to join Barca. He added that the club had already been ‘pushing’ and ‘clear’ about the situation, emphasizing that the team’s focus remains on preparing for a competitive match against Sevilla. The news follows two recent public statements from Atletico Madrid reiterating their refusal to grant Alvarez his wish to join Barca, further intensifying the speculation surrounding the striker’s future. Sorloth, the team’s injured Norwegian striker, is also unavailable, leaving Atletico without two key attacking options. Simeone noted that Sorloth’s absence is a significant concern, highlighting the importance of the team’s overall performance. He stated, ‘In this situation with Alvarez,’ the team will ‘try collectively to find solutions to score goals and win.’ Simeone also rejected concerns that the uncertainty surrounding Alvarez’s absence could affect the team’s squad cohesion. He assured the team that the boys are working effectively, particularly with the World Cup players, and that the team is focused on ‘playing a good match’ against Sevilla. The club has also confirmed that Cristian Romero, who joined Tottenham Hotspur this summer for a reported fee of 40 million euros, will travel with the squad, although Simeone did add that he needs time to ‘find his best form’ and that the team will not rush him to speed up his development. The situation underscores the intense focus within Atletico Madrid on maintaining a competitive edge and securing the future of their key players. Further updates on Alvarez’s status will undoubtedly continue to be reported throughout the week. Follow the BBC Sports section for the latest football news and analysis.”}
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Source: BBC Football
