Mario Kempes: "Atlético will be lost when Simeone leaves"

Mario Alberto Kempes took a look at the current state of play in world football in an interview with Argentine newspaper La Nación. Apart from touching on issues such as the crisis affecting his national team, and how Mauricio Pochettino and Messi are doing in Europe, Kempes was full of praise for 'Cholo' Simeone who he says is leaving his mark at Atlético de Madrid.

Perfect match

"Atleti is the ideal club for Diego Simeone. The players obey him and defend him to death. What he says is taken as sacred. Everything's working out for him; he has earned it. He's always had good strikers who have moved on - Diego Costa, Falcao, Villa... but he has always somehow managed to find a replacement who fits into his system and works. He's getting the results but that's because he goes in search of results. When he leaves Atlético de Madrid, those lads are going to feel a little lost. The players who have moved away have never performed to the same level at their new clubs", Kempes said.