Miguel Angel Moya believes Jan Oblak will be Atletico Madrid’s long-term goalkeeper and believes Koke is a complete player.
Moya has spoken at length to Canal+ and discussed the goalkeeping situation at the champions, how it is to play under Diego Simeone and his aspirations to make the Spain squad.
“When I signed for Atletico I didn’t know for sure if Thibaut Courtois was staying or not,” he recalled, AS reports.
“I came to compete for a place. I didn’t come to surrender. Courtois went to Chelsea and there was talk about other goalkeepers, such as Oblak, who was signed and had an injury.
“If I’m playing today it’s because Simeone is happy with me.
“When you play one game and then don’t come back to play again, you can feel a little uncertain. The advice I can give Oblak is to continue working because eventually everyone finds their place and long-term, he is the Atletico goalkeeper.”
Moya revealed a little about what it is like to work with Simeone, explaining some of the Coach’s best qualities.
“There’s no need for a psychologist at Atletico because Simeone is a great motivator and a great worker with the mind,” he confirmed.
“He’s someone who when it comes to saying something important will say it clearly. He uses the name, doesn’t generalise.
“It’s nice working with Simeone and his team. I have to be alert at my highest level to be at my best.
“From the outside you would think this is a great team and when you’re inside, you live it.”
Moya also discussed some of his Atletico teammates before moving on to his prospects with La Roja.
“Koke has impressed me. I know him and he has a lot of qualities. He works hard and can defend and attack,” the goalkeeper said.
“Koke is a complete midfield player. He’s surprised me. He’s in the team and he is part of the future.
“Mandzukic is a striker more in the area than Diego Costa. Simeone’s challenge is to recreate a sense of play, starting with defending well. Maturing our play in the attacking half will help Mandzukic become more comfortable.
“The dream for me to go with the national team has never disappeared. If I could go one day, it would be the icing on the perfect cake. I will keep working and trying to do well.”
