Remarkable statistic suggests Atletico Madrid veteran has earned new deal | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid’s defensive woes have been a constant complaint for Diego Simeone this season, as he tries to find a system and combination that will keep opponents out. There has been one element of his defence that has not disappointed though – Axel Witsel.

The 35-year-old Belgian, converted into a central defender on his arrival last summer, has been a constant for Simeone at the heart of his defence, and for the most part, performed admirably, including against Vinicius Junior in their Copa del Rey quarter-final victory.

As per Marca, Witsel has now racked up 4,001 minutes this season, the most of any of the 18 seasons in professional football for Witsel.His contract is up at the end of the season, and there has been no confirmation he will remain at Atletico next season, but it would seem a no brainer for Los Rojiblancos based on merit.

They are supposedly in talks with the veteran. He has made 49 appearances this season, scoring twice, and has only be left out entirely twice, coming off the bench on the other occasion in the Spanish Supercup semi-final. He is Simeone’s most used outfield player by a distance to Antoine Griezmann.