Cerezo: Atletico Madrid have become big players in world football LaLiga Hopeful that the changes won't hold them back

Atletico Madrid have spent several millions of euros this summer in their attempt to rebuild their squad and compete for every major title and they're expecting to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain and Europe.

Despite losing a number of key players this summer - most notably Antoine Griezmann, Diego Godin and Rodrigo - the Rojiblancos are still hopeful of silverware in 2019/20.

In an interview with MARCA, club president Enrique Cerezo discussed Atletico's investment in the current transfer window, the departure of the Frenchman and the team's target for the upcoming season.

A big investment has been made. It's time to win.

It's always time to win. We always say it before each season and then things don't go as you want. But I think that with the sporting direction of this team is the best that Atletico Madrid could to have. We can have a magnificent campaign. In any case, our challenge is always the same, to better the result of the previous campaign. In the past we were second, we played well in the Champions League and also in the Copa del Rey.

Last year we started with a win in the European Super Cup in August, but this time we can't compete for any title before the start of the season, but the year is very long, you have to know how to be in every game and every stage. It is something that the players know and it comes with that desire and enthusiasm to win.

How important is it for Atletico to sign players who attract teams with a bigger budget?

We have had a very good decade football-wise. We overcame a lot of problems in this club years ago and we no longer remember or want to remember. We only do it when we think about what awaits us ahead, which I think is very good and, above all, it is magnificent for the fans, the team and for those who run Atletico Madrid.

It is very important that Joao Felix chose Atletico ahead of Manchester City?

It shows that the work done in recent years has been very good. When players want to come here, when they can play wherever they want, I think it is important for the club and for the fans.

Are Atletico a reference of football worldwide?

I think so. We have achieved an important status in Europe and around the world. Now we have to maintain this prestige. We just have to keep playing well and winning.

You have signed Marcos Llorente and Mario Hermoso and you're negotiating James Rodriguez's move. Has that gentlemen's agreement with Real Madrid been broken?

There has always been a harmonious relationship with Real Madrid and with all the teams in Spain. When we are interested in a player, whoever it may be, we talk, check and in the end we have managed to get them to come to our team, but it doesn't mean that any pact or good harmony with Real Madrid or with Sevilla or Cordoba has been broken.

It's life; if we are interested in a player because we consider him to be good, we go and ask about him. If he plays for one team or another it is something that we don't care about. If it is decided that the player comes to play with us, then even better.

What are the real chances of signing James?

Right now, I don't know. James is a good player and Atletico are always interested in good players, but I can't tell you if he's coming because I don't know.

But the icing is missing...

The icing is always missing. It is for the coaches to say it, but I think that with who has come so far, it seems to me that the team has strengthened a lot.

Were you saddened by any specific departure?

Whenever a player who has been with us for many years - as Filipe Luis for example - leaves, it causes sadness, but you are also glad that he says goodbye, sympathises with and thanks the club to which he belonged. Leaving through the back door isn't the same as going through the front door and saying goodbye to their family and friends, as 90 percent of the players who have left Atletico did.

What do you think of Antoine Griezmann's departure?

He decided to play for another team and we learned recently which team he wanted to play for. He had thought about it and he did it that way. The only thing that I wish Griezmann is that where he goes to play, he will be treated just as we treated him here and that they will love him the same way he was loved here.

Will Atletico get more than 120 million euros for Griezmann?

I don't know, but it's only ours and Barcelona's concern.

Are you willing to go to court for justice?

What I want is for things to be clear and done as they have to be done. How has the subject developed? That's something that's between the two clubs.

Do you regret renewing Griezmann's contract?

Things happen as they happen and if I knew what was going to happen in a year, things would be unquestionably different. Fortunately, or unfortunately, things happen when they have to happen and at the time, the renewal happened when it did. There's nothing more than that. Griezmann is not an Atletico player. Griezmann has given us many happy moments playing the last years in our team and now he has decided to leave and has left.

Was there a bit of concern in the club when they saw the players who departed just over a month ago?

It worried me more personally. In the end it always hurts you to see players leave for one reason or another, but the enthusiasm with which we live this start of the season is something incredible. It isn't necessary to say much, but it's evident that we are working well, and that there are great directors who are bringing the players we are really interested in bringing.

How do you see next season?

With a lot of optimism and enthusiasm. A great team has been built, with great players, young people and really everyone has the spirit of winning. It is the most important thing we could have before the next season begins. Enthusiasm has been generated with all the players who have come in. Above all, we had the great challenge of replacing those who departed. We've done that and there is renewed enthusiasm in the team.

Is Atletico's way of playing the easiest way to get titles?

If we have played like this and won nine or ten titles, why would we change the plan if the coach does not consider it necessary?

What would you like to achieve this season?

I would like to improve on what we did in the past. In this plan that we have, we would like to win a title in the next campaign. With the team we have, the enthusiasm and desire, I think it can be achieved. It is the enthusiasm with which we always go out onto the pitch with; we go out to win, but the normal and logical thing is the same as always, that we remain among the top three, play a big role in the Champions League and see if one year we'll be able to lift it.