29-year-old striker set to continue at Atletico Madrid after winning over Simeone | OneFootball

After a two-year long loan stint at Juventus, Alvaro Morata returned to Atletico Madrid earlier this summer. His arrival was considered only an intermediate step before his seemingly imminent departure from the club.

However, the tables have now turned. According to reports from Cadena SER, the striker’s attitude has convinced both Diego Simeone and the dressing room.

The manager now trusts the player so much that he is ready to give Morata a starting spot in the team for the league opener at the weekend.

The 29-year-old first moved to Wanda Metropolitano on loan from Chelsea in the 2019-20 season. After his seemingly successful stint in Spain, Atletico made his move permanent in the summer of 2020.

Since then, however, Morata has not donned the red-and-white colours. He was immediately sent on a two-season long loan to Italy, where he shone under Massimiliano Allegri

The Spaniard’s sudden departure from the club was later revealed to be because of a rift between him and Diego Simeone. However, they duo seem to have buried the hatchet now.

With the differences between the player and manager settled, Los Rojiblancos need not look far to find their striker for the upcoming season. While Matheus Cunha is indeed a viable option, Morata’s experience could be enough to warrant a starting spot.

Last season, the striker scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 35 Serie A appearances. He scored a further two goals in the UEFA Champions League and one in the Coppa Italia.

The Nerazzurri were interested in loaning Morata for one more season, but Atletico Madrid have maintained that they count on the player and do not intend to sell him this summer.