Rumours surrounding Diego Simeone's future have dogged much of the latter half of 2016 but with 2017 on the horizon, the Argentine spent time discussing the strengths and weaknesses of his squad.
Atletico Madrid's form has been up and down this season and their LaLiga title charge is already over in the eyes of many, however the former Internazionale midfielder continues to believe in his players.
The news that his contract had been cut short (to the summer of 2018) took many by surprise and certainly gave the impression that Atleti will not be Simeone's long-term home.
Antoine Griezmann
That said, he is still focused on achieving immediate success and is in backing Antoine Griezmann to return to form.
"Antoine has grown a lot and needs to readjust to the team," Simeone explained to MARCA.
"He has had very nice things happen to him but what keeps me calm is when I see him train and compete - he is one of the hardest working players we have."
Kevin Gameiro
Griezmann took on board a lot of Los Rojiblancos' goalscoring responsibilities in the 2015/16 season and as a result, Kevin Gameiro was identified and signed in order to spread the workload.
The former Sevilla striker hasn't enjoyed the best of starts to life in the Spanish capital and has netted just six league goals, but the Argentine believes the forward will improve when he is more settled.
"We are getting closer to where we want him to be day-by-day," he continued.
"When he is calmer and more settled he will begin to respond on the pitch.
"New arrivals have to get used to the weight of the Atletico shirt because, with respect, it is on another level to other clubs."
Coaches often live and die by their decisions in the transfer market and whilst the 46-year-old has built enough of a reputation to be exempt from most criticism, it is hard to make a case that Atleti's summer business has been a success.
Nico Gaitan
Nico Gaitan arrived in Spain after years of wonderful displays in Portugal but he hasn't yet hit the same heights in LaLiga.
"We are in the process of helping each other, we give him minutes which are what he needs and he is beginning to feel much more involved," he said.
"He arrived from a club where he was an idol and our defensive demands for wingers outweigh the ones he had with Benfica so he has to adjust to that."
Sime Vrsaljko
Sime Vrsaljko has struggled to displace Juanfran as the team's starting right-back although as the season has progressed, there is a sense the pair can play in the same system with the Croatian able to deputise at left-back.
After having not played in 11 straight matches, Vrsaljko has started to find his place within the group and Simeone made clear the player was growing into his role.
"Sime is growing and he has something that I like a lot," he noted.
"He transmits energy and at the moment he is trying to break through a barrier.
"He worked well in Munich and it is clear that more minutes will help to give us what we need from him."
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