Simeone: «We need the Jonathan David from Lille»

Diego Simeone set the tone ahead of Atlético’s next league match against Athletic, talking about what he expects from his latest addition: Jonathan David. The Canadian international arrived on loan from Juventus, becoming the newest option in the team’s attacking plans.

As reported by L'Équipe, the Atlético coach was direct about the standard he wants. In his comments, Simeone stressed that “we need the Jonathan David from Lille”, pointing to the version of the striker that delivered at the French club and suggesting Atlético must get that output immediately.

Simeone’s key message

Simeone’s request is clear: David shouldn’t be just a new name in the squad, but a player who changes the way Atlético threaten opponents. By using Lille as the benchmark, he effectively underlines the role he expects—directness in the final third, the ability to finish, and being in the right areas when the chances come.

With that in mind, the upcoming game versus Athletic becomes an early test of whether the striker can hit the rhythm Simeone is looking for. The loan deal is already in place, but the real question is how quickly the player can convert the opportunity into performances.

What Atlético expect

If Atlético manage to reproduce the “Lille” version of David, Simeone gains a major offensive weapon. For now, the only certainty is the loan move from Juventus and the coach’s clear insistence on a specific level of impact.

Source: L'Équipe.