Player Focus: All-Rounder Koke Shows His Value to Atlético

When looking at Atlético Madrid, it’s difficult to highlight specific, standout individuals. The unit, the team and the collective aspect, is what takes precedent. Diego Simeone has created it to be that way. However, the Argentinean has also created diamonds from what were previously, unpolished, raw and uncut. On Wednesday evening against FC Barcelona, no one shone brighter than Koke.

Koke is bursting with energy and his constant progression has been obvious this season. His WhoScored characteristics highlight the range of his game. His strengths range from his competence with passing and crossing to his tackling and defensive contribution. His flaws? There are none. Koke’s performance on the night of high drama against Barça was perhaps his most complete of the season, and saw an 8.28 overall rating. It was his fourth highest rating of the season, and although his goal in the 5th minute carried Atleti through to the next round, perhaps the following 85 minutes highlighted best what type of player Koke has become.

José María Amorrortu, former director of Atleti’s cantera, once remarked he’d never seen a player superior physically. He runs himself into the ground, and it is not aimless running at all. There is method and vision in his play, something by no mean lost on his peers. “Koke has it all, an extraordinary player. He will pull the strings for Spain for the next 10 years.” said a certain Xavi when asked about his potential successors. Apt then, on the same field, it would be the student that outshone his master. The influence Koke had on his team, producing 3 key passes from 40 pass attempts – compared to Xavi’s 1 from 95 – emphasised the direct nature his game is built on. Xavi must’ve seen his energetic opponent whizz past him and wonder if he was indeed, with the greatest of respect, too old for this.

Coming through the ranks Koke was tasked with being a central midfielder in the classic Spanish mould, rarely straying 20 yards past the halfway line, instead linking play and being deployed as a cog in the works. Although he shone to a degree it never really defined him as a player. It was Simeone’s adjustment, turning the player into an interior, which has proved key. If Gabi is the heart of Atleti, Koke’s must be the legs. An interior player must be committed on all fronts, from discipline and application in defensive work, to industry and guile in the attacking department. Koke has made the role his own. In fact, his impact in that position over the next decade could inspire more young Spanish players to wish to fulfil the role. Already at Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti is attempting to recreate Koke’s success in his own young studs Isco and Asier Illarramendi, with mixed results in the admittedly early stages.

In every column Koke holds his own. His 2.4 tackles per game ranks him fourth of Atlético players to have played more than 10 games in La Liga, while his 1.1 interceptions per game dwarfs his attack-minded teammates. His tandem role on the left side of Atleti’s midfield has become one of the key redeeming features of Simeone’s reign, perhaps only overshadowed by the collective ideology. Koke is aware of his duties as an interior, a role that requires such high levels of defensive acumen. Any bout of poor judgement or lethargy could leave a full-back exposed or central midfield overawed. Koke cuts inside, but also knows when to align with his Filipe Luis at full-back. As one they defend, and of course, as one they attack.

When it comes to being on the front foot Koke is tremendously committed. It is interesting that he doesn’t fit the traditional creative mould, as shown with his 0.5 dribbles per game. A keen runner with the ball he is not. What he lacks in penetration from this angle he makes up for with his general movement. It is sharp, precise and always incisive. There is less preoccupation in his game and more dynamism. Koke knows where to hit, how to do so, and when. His 13 assists are the most in La Liga, again, a magnificent sum for a player not ‘traditionally’ seen as creative. Meanwhile his 1.9 key passes per game too, are the most at Atleti this term.

He links up fantastically with striker Diego Costa, forming a special on-field relationship. Costa’s rise as one of the best strikers in the world right now has many facets and measures, and along with Simeone’s tutelage it is Koke’s vision and understanding of his game that has put him on his current pedestal. 12 of Koke’s 26 assists in his La Liga career have been for Costa, while 7 of his 13 assists in this domestic campaign have resulted in the ferocious striker scoring. It’s quite an achievement in itself that Koke can identify to such an extent with the unorthodox game of Costa. The midfielder himself meanwhile has landed 6 goals in La Liga this season, more than several key players in their respective teams such as Andrés Iniesta, Ángel Di María and his onetime rival at Under-21 level Ander Herrera.

Koke arrived at Atleti at just 6 years of age and became known as the shy boy around the club well into his teens. Before his debut in 2010 at the Camp Nou, he stood nervously outside the team bus as he did not dare ask then team captain Antonio López where to sit. Koke may find himself with a similar dilemma this summer - only this time the seat will be on Spain’s plane heading to Brazil.

Should Koke be on the plane to Brazil with Spain? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below