Champions League
The chance seems small that he will be allowed to start in the Champions League, but after an adjustment period, Arthur Vermeeren (19) is ready to take steps at Atlético Madrid.
A loving hug from Antoine Griezmann and a cordial exchange of words. Arthur Vermeeren celebrated the 5-0 win against Las Palmas on Saturday – he was allowed to substitute for 23 minutes – with the French Atlético icon. Griezmann takes care of the Belgian asset, just like compatriot Axel Witsel and Dutchman Memphis Depay, with whom Vermeeren not only shares the language but also his lawyers. The young Red Devil seems to have ended up in a warm nest in Madrid.
Vermeeren still has to find his feet in terms of sport. In six matches he remained on the bench four times and only kicked off once. But for the time being, Vermeeren himself is anything but worried. “Time is on our side,” coach Diego Simeone said about the young Belgian, who signed for 6.5 years. He must take advantage of the coming months to really compete for a starting place next season.
Own house and Spanish lessons
That Vermeeren is having a good time is also confirmed by his entourage. The teenager now has his own house and has started taking Spanish lessons. “The sporty aspect can now take precedence,” says Vermeeren’s lawyer Sébastien Ledure, but that will have to be done step by step.
Tonight Atlético plays its first leg against Inter in the eighth finals of the Champions League. Routiniers such as Koke (32), Rodrigo de Paul (29) or Saul Niguez (29) may be preferred again, but Vermeeren does not have to despair. Not at Atlético anyway. Heading into the European Championship, Domenico Tedesco is of course keeping a close eye on the playing minutes of his Red Devils. (DVD)
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