Saul: Atletico Madrid have always been the people's team LaLiga Despite spending big this summer

Saul Niguez has insisted that Atletico Madrid are still very much underdogs in LaLiga Santander, despite splashing the cash this summer.

Los Rojiblancos spent 127 million euros on Joao Felix alone, as well as signing the likes of Kieran Trippier, Mario Hermoso and Marcos Llorente for substantial fees.

"Historically, we've always called ourselves that," Saul said when asked about Atleti's 'people's team' tag on Radio MARCA.

"We've always been that. Are we not anymore because we've spent money?

"The boss [Diego Simeone] cleared up everything [when he explained why they still are the people's team]."

Atleti are currently top of LaLiga Santander, having won all three of their opening fixtures.

"People said that Atleti had finished a cycle at the end of [last] season, but when we beat Real Madrid in pre-season, they made us candidates for everything," Saul said.

"There's a cliché that says 'Atleti are annoying' and it's true... we're annoying."

After Antoine Griezmann announced he was leaving the club, Atleti moved quickly to secure the signature of Joao Felix.

"Joao Felix is a young boy with quality and talent," Saul noted.

"He has to get used to LaLiga and get used to playing against teams that leave very little space, like Getafe and Leganes.

"It's magnificent that Griezmann gave us his all for five years and we have to thank him.

"It was disappointing that he didn't stay with us; he could have done more [here]."

There were rumours that Saul himself would leave Atleti during the summer and the player admitted that one of his former teammates, David de Gea, asked him about it.

"De Gea messaged me this summer asking if I was leaving and I told him that I knew nothing," he intimated.

"I haven't had any meetings; lots of things come out that are lies... and, at far as I know, they didn't arrive."

Saul is back in the Spain squad after being left out in recent times, and he was honest about the reason why he was not called up before.

"I have to be self-critical," he said.

"Last season I played as a full-back and when I went back into midfield I didn't perform.

"It was understandable that I didn't get back into the national squad.

"When I didn't get called up, I was playing as a left-back, and when the national team call you up you have to be playing in your position and be performing.

"The national team coaches aren't going to have any problems with me, call-up or no call-up.

"I'm only going to work so that they have to call me up no matter what.

"[Simeone] has believed in me for many years.

"He knows that left-back isn't my position, but I always try to give my best."