Scouting Report: Diego Godin

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This morning I checked out transfer rumors when I found that Miranda might go to Manchester United for £24 million which really startled me, not because Miranda is a bad Center-Back, maybe because of the ludicrous price tag put on the Brazilian. He’s great, and quick to react, but his partner in crime is the player who has gelled the defense together this season. Diego Godín has been world class this season and one of the main reasons why Atletico Madrid have been able to compete on so many fronts this season.

His stats may make him look like an average defender with only 1.9 tackles a game and 2.5 interceptions a game, but it’s his ability to press and mark that makes him so valuable to such a working team. He only makes 1.2 fouls a game and is only dribbled past 0.4 times per game, which basically means he is clean in the tackle and rarely lets opponents get past him. He is also a force in the air, winning many aerial duels and recently scoring against both Barcelona and Real Madrid. He isn’t the fastest or strongest, but he reads the game better than most and knows when to stick his foot in, or make a strategic foul. He isn’t the best passer but that may come down to Diego Simeone’s system which emphasizes quick passing and rapid movement over controlled possession, which is probably why he makes 6.9 clearances a game, one of the highest in the top 5 European leagues.

He just turned 28 and is in the form of his life, teams are on the prowl for the Uruguayan and his playstyle ensures he will play at the highest level well into his 30’s. Teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Monaco all need defensive reinforcements and with Atletico likely to sell several key players due to their massive debt (even with their Champions League winnings), teams should be lining up bids as quickly as possible. If Godín is not sold now and he has a great World Cup, then it will take a massive bid to pry him from Los Colchoneros.

Whether he stays at Atletico or joins a new club this summer, he is still a World-Class defender and will contribute greatly to his side. Diego Simeone has done wonders to this Atletico team and he is one of the results to his hard work. He will be expected to stay, but seeing Atletico’s financial state, we may see him lining up for another club next season, it’s the question of where he goes that is of interest.

All stats from Whoscored