The twittosphere has struck again. Cruel and disproportionate, as too often. On Sunday, Atlético Madrid announced two positive cases of Covid-19, without specifying who the people concerned were, players or staff. It did not take more so that certain ill-intentioned spirits do not issue forecasts, or rather wishes, concerning the two infected. At the head of Turkish Thomas Lemar, to whom several Internet users wished to have caught the virus. What triggered the anger of Jules Koundé, the defender of Sevilla FC coming to the rescue of his compatriot: "I see messages wishing that it is Thomas Lemar who is contaminated with Covid-19 ... Frankly, you do not have not ashamed. A little respect, we are talking about human life, this is not a joke. " As pathetic as they are, these attacks are nonetheless representative of the clear break between the former Monegasque and the fans of the Colchoneros, disappointed by his athletic performance.
A white and dry season
Zero. The angry statistic. In 22 La Liga games played this season, Lemar has neither scored a goal nor delivered a single assist. Since the resumption of the championship, he has only been established once, against Valladolid, a sign that Diego Simeone is no longer really counting on him. Even if Angel Correa's absence in the Champions League quarter-finals - the Argentinian being one of two players affected by the virus along with Sime Vrsaljko - could perhaps offer him a final opportunity to reverse the trend against Leipzig this Thursday. Unless it is already too late. In any case, a few weeks ago, the Colchoneros coach had put him in front of his responsibilities: "We made sure to put him in confidence in order to see what he can show in training, then in match. He has qualities, capacities. We know that and we have shown him time and time again, not only through lyrics but also through deeds, aligning him with important matches. Now it all depends on the level he is able to reach. He must understand that everything depends on him because on our side, we have done everything that was possible to do. "
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A statement that already sounded a bit like a statement of helplessness about a player who bought 72 million euros in Monaco in the summer of 2018 but which, since, has offered no return on investment. Or so little, in a first season with 3 goals and 2 assists in La Liga. And the zero point of the second does not even guarantee the excuse of a necessary period of adaptation. His story with Atlético sounds like a casting error, Lemar visibly not possessing the required qualities, nor the DNA of the footballer desired by Simeone, a coach capable of sublimating a player but who does not have feelings or social issues. Even in the France team, Lemar seems to have exhausted the credit he had with Didier Deschamps, when the coach let go last September concerning him: “Thomas had six months a little complicated at Atlético de Madrid. With us he has always been at a very good level. At Atlético, we ask him things that are a little different. Its primary quality is its mobility and creativity. He's someone I count on. ”
Its value would have fallen by 50 million euros in two years
Today, it seems essential for the Guadeloupe to change air and relaunch a stalled career. See you soon 25 - he will have them on November 12 - nothing is lost. If he chooses his destination better. But will he have a choice? Under contract until June 2023, Lemar can hardly be sold off by Madrid leaders. Except that at the same time, his rating is at the lowest since he saw players like Marcos Llorente or Vitolo pass him in the hierarchy at Atlético. Transfermarkt estimates his current value at € 24m. But at this price, the buyers are still not jostling and according to some rumors, Atlético would hope to obtain ... 40 to 45 million from its sale. Especially since the economic consequences of the health crisis will not work in his favor by reducing the financial room for maneuver of certain clubs in England. Only a good performance in Lisbon in the quarter-finals, or in the semi-finals if Atlético overcomes Leipzig, could bring him out of the total impasse in which he finds himself. If he plays, which is not certain for a player who has played only 110 minutes since the resumption of competitions ...
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