Saul: I didn't understand the whistles towards Koke Atletico Madrid He was targeted by Atletico's fans

Saul Niguez has admitted that he doesn't know why some Atletico Madrid fans have been whistling Koke.

The club captain has been targeted by Atletico fans in recent weeks after some below-bar performances in a red and white shirt.

"I really didn't understand the whistles towards Koke," Saul told Cadena Ser.

"For me, it's impossible to whistle him.

"The crowd can think what they like, but I would never whistle him."

Diego Costa is another player struggling for form at Atletico, but Saul thinks it's not just about scoring goals for the striker.

"Strikers are valued for their goals, but I value Diego for other things," he said.

"You can't say anything; the work he does is exceptional.

"The team values him the same, with or without goals."

Despite playing for opposing rivals, Saul has struck up a friendly relationship with Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale and has revealed what the Welshman is like.

"Bale and I sometimes meet when we went to see our agents," he said.

"He surprised me a lot, a super nice guy, we spoke... in Spanish!"