"If we keep this up, we'll be fighting relegation."

This is what Griezmann said not long after the second draw of Atletico Madrid against another recently promoted team. He also went and said the following:

"We need to wake up, keep working and get back to being ourselves as soon as possible."

His team mate and manager didn't take long to react, Simeone called him to say that it was a unacessary declaration while Saul made a interview in wich he said something along the line of:

"Griezmann needs to think about what he says."

His other team mate, Koke chose to take his defence instead and explained that he thought that Griezman wasn't completely wrong.

Now we all know that relegation for Atletico Madrid is very unlikely, but we cannot argue that the two first results of the season doesn't bode well for them. So here is the question of this thread, who is right, Griezmann, who think Atletico need to wake up and up their game or Simeone and Saul who think Griezmann made a unnecessary comments?
May the debate begin!

I think he is right, look at Chelsea's last season.

When you have a problem, you address the problem. Chelsea didn't, which is why they sucked last season. There is plenty of time for Atletico to address their issues, and no reason to press the panic button as yet based on results alone. If there is something bigger going on that we don't know about, then maybe it is time, only those within the organization would know.

@Sun So, in other word, you think Griezmann is jumping the gun? Just to be sure to understand wich side your taking for.

Well 2 draws against fresh blood liga adelante best teams, not saying they are equal but the guys were fighting. Wake up call after only 2 games with 0 loss, one draw was very unlucky because they conceded the goal at 94th. He didn't insulted his teammates or said he was better, he just pointed that the work given on the pitch his work included is not enough. That's the print of champions.
Simeone can criticize him but he did the same last year saying Grizou was not yet one of the biggest and he has yet to prove it, well Antoine did it and established himself as number one of Atletico and even best player of the Euro 2016. I think criticism from him looks healthy, he didn't blamed his coach or teammates, he just put positive pressure on the whole team his shoulders included. That's the commitment of a player I admire not just a question of wages or making headlines from time to time. Clearly wants to achieve with the colochonerros.

he's right. Griezmann brought up the fact that they need to improve. And they do. He acknowledged it. Great.
Saul needs to put is pride aside, and accept that they sucked the last two games.

he is right. they played 2 games and drew both against bad teams. he is also the team to make an improvement and he is right to do that.

I think he is right. He is best player of the team, needs to raise motivation and honestly all he said is truth.

He is right. Honestly he didn't even speak anything that offensive or discouraging. He made only encouraging statements. If their manager and teammates don't understand that especially for them, every point is precious if they want to keep pace with Barca and Madrid, well it's not his fault. He just tried to give a wake-up call to his teammates, is all.

Oh, lots of people agreeing with Grizou, its pretty nice to see, especially when you see that most of his team-mate and even his coach seem to disagree with him.

I'm a bit confused lol. He's right that Atleti needs to raise their game. They are probably already out of the title contest to be honest. But talking about relegation is unnecessary, I think. Don't know if he meant to criticize his teammates, but he didn't do anything spectacular either, so he's not right if he wants to place the blame on others.

He is right no doubt, but we don't know what happens in the locker room that will make niguez and simeone tell griezman to chill down.

Griezman also said United was the "perfect club" and mourinho is making him his main transfer target as of January. Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if he left Atletico for Manchester United.

Actually I would understand, They met with Pogba in the summer I think Pogba earns more than 3 Times Griezmann salary and actually Griezmann with United has more chances to win trophies than in la liga with Madrid/Barca being there, he can't go to Madrid, Barca has enough forwards so a move to Man Utd is more than excpectable.
Pogba in the balance with Mou and Zlatan, that's enough to attract him. With the monster wages waiting for him, actually I'm surprised to see him that loyal after the Euros to stay there.
United is likely to be his ultimate destination, but he can stay he proved not to be that greedy so it will be a sportive choice, actually Atletico Madrid only advantage is the fact they are top 5 in Europe in term of level, if they drop it, Antoine may leave.

@tiki Hum, but lets say Griezmann does join Manchester United, where do you think he would play? I'm really curious to know cause I alway considered Griezman to be able to play at different position.

Griezman is the top 10 players in the world, Martial or Rooney will be dropped.

If we did pick him up, it would probably be to replace Ibra. I can't help but think that there may be different/better striker options then, particularly if Rashford does well.

@rayrex, Griezmann to United would be bad move, nor United needs him, nor it is good for him to be there. Depay-Ibra-Mkhitaryan, with Rooney behind them and Martial/Rashford being occasional starters would seem fine to me.

@Croatian You made a error in your post, what you meant to say was:

Martial-Ibra-Mkhitaryan, with Rooney behind them and Depay/Rashford being occasional starters would seem fine to me.

No need to thank me (i'm joking). ;p

@croatian Griezman is an outfield player where he can play anywere, from midfield to striker to winger. His talent is needed everywhere. So as Mourinho, where we all know that his best seasons are his first three years, he will try to go all out. Griezman is better than Rashford, Depay and Martial.

Let's say: Griezman-Zlatan
Martial-Pogba-Rooney-Mikhitaryan.

Depay is inconsistent, and Rashford will sooner or later get loaned, unless he is ok playing last 10 minuets.

I highly doubt Rashford will ever be loaned as long as he's playing as well as he is. I see Martial as the natural successor for Ibra, and Rashford for Rooney, both older players I don't expect will be at United or starting a year to two years from now. Rashford will probably start Cup/Euro League games as well, so he'll get plenty of time.

you can be nostalgic of players that achieved, its not the case here. sincerly I Hear Martial, Depay, Rashford.... Griezmann is different level player at least 3 level above. Consistence, skills, motivation, effectiveness, mental, I would drop half of the names heard here to attract him. Names told here are " may become " player, Griezmann is the " already is " player. You take the gem And you try to build arround him not the opposite, unless you have solid schemes that wins you trophies each year.
What did Madrid when They bought CR, They built arround him. What did Pep with Barca, Ronaldinho out, Etoo out And build arround Messi. Same for'Juve And Dybala. For me its not LVG fault at 100% he didnt have a WC squad, now its starting to look to something but the first flour of Mou construction is yet to be finished, teams like Madrid pr Bayern are skygrapes buildings built in years with addition to a winning formula streghten it with New Blood And experience after wins.
Half of United actual squad won only community chield type of trophies, so to drop Dynausaurus Ibra for inexperienced Rashford, probably not yet.
Pogba And Griezmann link up very well, Antoine turns arround the striker, combine with him And score. So if someone has to worry about his arrival it would be Rooney.
I personally prefer Griezmann to Neymar, he doesnt have to play with the ball, the fastest exécution in the world And for me if he is not better, he is equal And im not being biased here, I watch both of them regularly. I would drop Bale or'Neymar for Griezmann.