Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke finds his name linked with a host of clubs, considering the Spanish international has been outstanding under manager Diego Simeone. Koke perfectly represents his coach’s work ethic as well as boasting high levels of technical quality. He is seen as the ideal midfielder who can make a difference in the middle of the park in multiple ways.
Full name, Jorge Resurrección Merodio, Koke has won the La Liga title (2013/14), the UEFA Europa League (2011/12), the Copa Del Rey (2012/13), the Supercopa de Espana (2014), and the UEFA Super Cup (2012). He won the U21 Championships (2013) with Spain, and has been a regular with Atletico for the last four years.
Chelsea have been linked with Koke recently, yet it remains unknown whether Atletico would be willing to consider an offer for their midfield hero. His asking price is reported to be around £21 million, a reasonable fee which the Premier League giants would be more than happy to match.
The 23-year-old has completed 83% of his short passes in Spain’s La Liga this season, creating 49 chances, and providing nine assists. Koke isn’t just a creator, as he also averages a tackle or interception every 22 minutes on the pitch. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and averages over 50 passes per game on a regular basis. As such, Koke’s ball-playing qualities have caught the attention of other sides.
The 2013/14 season saw Koke hit extraordinary heights. He ended up with 13 assists in the league as he helped Atletico Madrid to the title, finishing above the traditional Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid in dramatic fashion on the final day of the campaign. He was in the Spain squad for the 2014 World Cup, but was forced to settle for a cameo appearance. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho considers Koke to have the ideal qualities that will make him a good fit for his side. What makes Koke even more valuable for Mourinho, is the fact the Portuguese coach also places heavy emphasis on work ethic.
With so much reliance on the presence and fitness of Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic, Chelsea desperately need another strong midfield option should their aforementioned due suffer injury or suspension. Koke is very versatile, as he can play left, right, and centre of midfield, so he is a manager’s dream.
It is very easy to see why Mourinho has targeted him, and there is no reason the Spaniard cannot blossom in the Premier League next season if he did join the Londoners. No move is expected to be made until the current campaign comes to a close, but it is a transfer many clubs will be paying attention to.
