Without Grizi, Atlético is like a solid block of iron, strong but lacking direction. Almada, on the other hand, is the one who can push the team forward.
His positioning is completely different from Correa's. Although their heights are similar, he is 10 kilograms lighter than Correa, naturally disadvantageous in front-line duels. He comes to take over Grizi's role as a playmaker. In terms of individual ability, his physical qualities and skills are far behind the third Ballon d'Or winner Griezmann, incomparable. However, his off-the-ball movement, wall passes, linking play, and through-pass creativity at the attacking midfield line are close to Grizi's. His arrival can reduce Grizi's burden, allowing Grizi to get closer to the penalty area.
Additionally, he can coexist with Baena. Although both are right-footed players and tend to move toward the center, their roles do not conflict. Almada operates behind Álvarez as an attacking midfielder or second striker, active on either side of the attacking midfield line, mainly making lateral or diagonal runs, delivering balls to the forwards; whereas Baena plays deeper, moves more vertically, and takes on more defensive responsibilities. Their movement directions and responsibilities complement each other, allowing for positional rotation depending on the situation, and both still have considerable room for growth.
In terms of ability, there are many players in the midfield and attacking positions at the same price who are stronger and more suited to Atlético's previous system than Almada. But what truly impressed me about Almada is his match temperament. He can receive the goalkeeper's first pass during buildup and provide the final pass to the striker for the finish. Regardless of the phase the team is in, he actively participates, and even at the risk of danger, he will proactively drive the ball forward.
He will be the 'bricklayer' of your bed; wherever he runs, the wall will be there, which coincides with the elderly Grizi. Although he is not yet fully developed, his running can drag the coach out of the comfort zone, acting as a wall himself, inspiring collaboration, leveraging the system, and thereby forcing the whole team to play.
When Grizi is at full form, Almada can only take a substitute position. In the role of left attacking midfielder, his playing order is also inferior to Baena. At €25 million, as a national team forward from Argentina, even as a substitute, he is still worth it. He will gradually take over Griezmann's playing time, while Grizi's precious energy will be reserved for key matches. Using Almada as a theoretical substitute itself is also a sign of Atlético raising their lower limits.
Securing third place or fighting for eighth, year after year; once March passes, he becomes like a dead fish; although Atlético has indeed achieved a qualitative leap over the past decade, being able to maintain such stability is already a great achievement, but this summer transfer window, Atlético has shown, after a long time, a further ambition.
After the summer window rebuild, Simeone has quite a few strong cards in hand. This group of players has raised Atlético's overall ceiling, and their characteristics can also drive changes in Simeone's system. Maintaining a tight defense is Simeone's non-negotiable baseline, but with high pressing, how will he make detailed arrangements? In attack, with a number five (Cáceres) and a number ten (Almada), will he, in a more modern style, return to a more classic, more Argentine system? All of this makes next season's Atlético worth looking forward to.