13 | THE PLAYING SQUAD

When defining the DNA of this Atlético CP project, I wanted to look beyond the usual measures of technical ability and physical attributes, towards the qualities that might tell us something about a player’s character and suitability for the collective. Determination, Decisions, Work rate, Teamwork and Techniqueform the core of that assessment. Determination and work rate speak to the garrathat has long characterised Uruguayan football: the willingness to compete, recover, persevere and refuse to accept defeat as an inevitability. Decisions and teamwork reflect a different but equally important tradition, one in which intelligence means understanding when to press, when to retain possession, when to take a risk and when the interests of the team must come before individual expression. Technique completes the picture; el toque is not simply about playing attractive football, but having the composure and ability to execute an idea under pressure.

These attributes are not intended to produce eleven identical players, nor do I expect every recruit to excel in every category. Rather, they establish a shared foundation from which different personalities, roles and talents can flourish.

Bentancur’s Atlético will need players capable of thinking collectively, competing relentlessly and playing with technical conviction; the objective is not merely to recruit good footballers, but to build a team whose character and understanding reflect the football we want to play.

Before I can begin building that identity, I need to understand the players I have inherited. This is a squad with a mixture of established professionals, experienced heads and younger players who may yet have room to grow; the task now is to establish who fits the vision, who might develop into it, and where the gaps between the football I want to play and the players available to me are most apparent.

The Goalkeepers

Between the sticks, Nuno Hidalgo looks the more dependable option for the immediate future, although at 34 there is a question about how long he can remain first choice. A right-footed shot-stopper, he has good handling and reflexes, and is reasonably capable with the ball at his feet; his distribution is respectable rather than exceptional, but it gives us something to work with. His main weakness is aerial reach, which is noticeably below average and could become a concern when dealing with crosses. Rodrigo Dias is younger, at 25, and has a more assertive profile, with better reach and command of his area, but his handling and reflexes are a little less convincing, while his communication and distribution are weaker. Neither goalkeeper immediately stands out as a long-term solution without reservations. Hidalgo has the advantage in current reliability, while Dias offers the possibility of development, but the gap between them is not so great that I can ignore the position entirely. For now, I will give Hidalgo the opportunity to establish himself, while keeping an eye on whether Dias can close the gap.

The Defenders

The defensive group offers a mixture of experience, physical presence and younger players with room to develop. Alison Calegariis a more established centre-back at 25. A natural leader, he has good bravery, strength and aerial ability, with a solid work rate and determination. His technique is limited, however, and his decision-making is more average than outstanding, so I would be cautious about expecting him to become a sophisticated ball-playing defender. Burabrings further experience and is comfortable on the ball for a centre-back, but his lack of pace is a significant limitation at 37; he may still have something to offer, though I would be wary of asking him to defend large spaces. At full-back, David Dinamite has the mobility and technical ability to be useful on the left, while Eduardo Monteiro offers a more intelligent, defensively minded alternative. The overall picture is encouraging enough, but there are compromises to consider, particularly if we want our defenders to contribute to possession without sacrificing defensive security.

The Midfielders

There is a mixture of profiles in midfield, and I suspect this will be one of the most important areas in determining how the team develops. Key to this setup is Gabriel Costa, the strongest player in the team, arguably. At just 19, he’s got space to develop but already is strong across many areas. Mohamed Konate is perhaps the opposite of him – strong in some technical areas but far from rounded. César Sousa offers a more balanced alternative. A right-footed central midfielder with a physical profile, he has good determination, work rate and stamina, and is reasonably comfortable technically. His passing and decisions are more ordinary, however, and he is not particularly strong in the air. Ricardo Dias brings greater experience and a more intelligent defensive profile, with good anticipation, concentration, positioning and tackling, but his age and limited acceleration make him less suited to a physically demanding role. Further forward, Edgar Pacheco has the technique, passing and flair to offer creativity from the left or right, while Pedro Ramos is a more naturally creative attacking midfielder, with good acceleration, agility and flair but less convincing technical security. There are enough contrasting qualities here to build a functional midfield, although finding the right balance between physical work, tactical intelligence and technical ability will be essential.

The Forwards

The attacking options offer a variety of profiles, but I do not yet see a player who combines every quality I would ideally want from a centre-forward. Hélder Suker is a right-footed striker with good movement, decent finishing and the mobility to threaten space behind a defence. He is reasonably capable in the air and has a useful first touch, while his flair adds something to his game; his decision-making and composure are less convincing, however, which raises questions about his consistency in front of goal. Nicolas Souzaoffers a different profile, with decent finishing, good natural fitness and reasonable movement, alongside more dependable decision-making. His main limitation is his contribution to the collective, with poor teamwork and a relatively modest work rate, so I would need to consider carefully how he fits into the team’s overall approach. Nuno Gasparhas the movement and pace to offer something as a centre-forward, although his teamwork is a concern. The attacking group is not without possibilities, but the players have distinct strengths and weaknesses rather than one obvious, complete profile. I want to see how they perform before deciding whether the answer lies in adapting the system to their qualities or eventually bringing in a forward who offers a better balance of finishing, movement and collective work.