Atlético Madrid Squad Depth 2026/27: Full Analysis

Atlético Madrid enter 2026/27 with a deeper squad and several significant changes around Diego Simeone’s established core. Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo, Morten Hjulmand and Kang-in Lee are among the major additions, while Ademola Lookman has strengthened an attack that already contained Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth.

Arnau Ortiz has also been promoted to the first team after an excellent season with Atlético Madrileño. Atlético’s official first-team squad reflects a group with greater tactical variety than last season. The early results have been encouraging, with seven points from the opening three La Liga matches and a 3-1 win away to Sevilla.

Atlético will also play eight Champions League league-phase fixtures, including matches against Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich. That schedule makes depth essential. Atlético have enough quality to rotate in most areas, but certain players remain much harder to replace than the overall squad size suggests.

Atlético Madrid’s 2026/27 Squad at a Glance

The main senior options include:

Goalkeepers: Jan Oblak, Juan Musso
Centre-backs: Cristian Romero, Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, José María Giménez
Full-back/wing-back options: Marc Pubill, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marcos Llorente, Hancko
Central midfield: Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, Johnny Cardoso, Koke, Obed Vargas
Advanced midfield and wide options: Álex Baena, Kang-in Lee, Marcos Llorente, Giuliano Simeone, Thomas Lemar, Arnau Ortiz
Attack: Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sørloth, Ademola Lookman, Carlos Martín

The transfer window remains open, and Álvarez’s future has attracted significant late interest. He remains an Atlético player and returned to full training on September 1, so he should still be counted as current squad depth unless a transfer is completed.

Goalkeeper Depth

Jan Oblak remains the unquestioned first choice. His experience and shot-stopping continue to give Atlético one of La Liga’s strongest goalkeepers, while Musso provides an experienced backup capable of handling Copa del Rey or occasional league and European rotation. There is a clear hierarchy, but Atlético are not exposed if Oblak misses a short run of matches.

Depth Assessment: Strong

Defensive Depth

Central defence is one of the squad’s biggest strengths. Romero brings aggression, leadership and the ability to defend large spaces. Hancko offers left-footed progression, while Le Normand remains a reliable positional defender.

Giménez adds another experienced option and was available from the bench in the recent 3-1 victory at Sevilla. That allowed Simeone to start Hancko alongside Pubill despite having further senior defensive choices available. The important point is that Atlético can now rotate centre-backs without immediately weakening the defensive structure.

At full-back, Grimaldo adds elite attacking quality from the left. His delivery and ability to move into midfield give Simeone a different option from a more conventional defensive wing-back. Pubill and Llorente can both contribute on the right, although Llorente’s versatility means using him there removes an important midfield option.

Depth Assessment: Very Strong centrally; Strong overall

Midfield Has Better Balance

Hjulmand is one of the most important additions. The Denmark international gives Atlético a natural defensive midfielder capable of screening the defence, competing physically and circulating possession. That should allow Barrios and Baena greater freedom to operate higher or carry the ball forward.

Barrios remains central to Atlético’s long-term midfield because of his mobility and ability to progress possession. Johnny Cardoso provides another strong defensive option, while Koke remains valuable for controlling tempo and managing matches even if he no longer needs to start every week.

Obed Vargas increases the younger depth. This is a better-balanced midfield than one dependent on several players performing similar functions. Simeone can now select more defensive combinations for difficult Champions League matches or use additional creativity against teams defending deep.

Depth Assessment: Very Strong

Atlético Have More Creative Options

Baena gives Atlético a genuine central creator capable of playing between the lines or drifting left. Kang-in Lee adds another technically gifted option. He can play centrally, start from the right, or operate between midfield and attack.

Giuliano Simeone offers a very different profile based on intensity, direct running and pressing, while Llorente can still provide attacking power from midfield or the flank.

Arnau Ortiz is also now formally part of the senior squad after scoring 23 goals in Primera Federación last season. He should be viewed as a useful emerging option rather than expected to carry major first-team responsibility immediately. The variety is important. Atlético are no longer as dependent on one attacking midfielder to create everything behind the forwards.

Depth Assessment: Very Strong

Forward Depth

Álvarez remains Atlético’s most complete forward. He can lead the line, operate alongside another striker or drop into deeper areas. His pressing and movement make him particularly valuable because Atlético does not need to change their defensive intensity when he plays.

Sørloth gives Simeone a completely different option through size, aerial ability and penalty-box presence. His preseason was interrupted by a muscular contracture, which reduced his availability during August.

Lookman adds pace and direct one-versus-one threat. He can attack from wide areas or move closer to the striker, allowing Simeone to build a faster frontline when Atlético expect more transition opportunities. Carlos Martín provides additional cover.

The quality is high, but Álvarez’s unresolved transfer situation makes this the most fluid department on deadline day. If he stays, Atlético have excellent attacking depth. If he leaves, replacing his combination of goals, movement and pressing would become a major issue even with Lookman and Sørloth available.

Depth Assessment: Very Strong while Álvarez remains

Where Atlético Are Strongest

Centre-back and central midfield stand out. Romero, Hancko, Le Normand and Giménez give Simeone multiple high-level defensive combinations, while Hjulmand, Barrios, Johnny and Koke provide enough midfield variety for different opponents.

The creative positions have also improved through Baena and Kang-in Lee. This means Atlético can now make several changes without dramatically changing their level.

Where the Squad Could Be Exposed

Right-back is less secure than centre-back or central midfield. Pubill is a natural option, but using Llorente there can weaken another part of the side. There is also considerable dependence on Oblak because Musso, while experienced, does not provide the same level over a full season.

The biggest potential issue is Álvarez. Atlético have several forwards, but none replaces every part of his game. His status therefore matters far more to the squad assessment than simply counting the number of attackers.

Champions League Rotation Will Matter

Atlético face a demanding European schedule, including away trips to Liverpool, Stuttgart, PSV and Bodø/Glimt, plus home matches against Manchester United and Bayern. That will require genuine rotation.

Defence and midfield appear ready for it. Simeone can change two centre-backs or several midfielders without resorting to inexperienced players. Attack should also have enough options if Álvarez remains and Sørloth stays healthy. The squad therefore looks better equipped for Champions League football than one built around only 13 or 14 trusted starters.

Key Players Atlético Would Find Hardest to Replace

Jan Oblak remains difficult to replace over a long period because of his consistency and experience.
Julián Álvarez is the most complete forward in the squad and offers qualities that neither Sørloth nor Lookman directly reproduce.
Pablo Barrios provides mobility and progression that help connect Atlético’s midfield phases.
Cristian Romero could quickly become equally important because his aggressive defending allows Simeone to maintain a higher defensive line.

Overall Squad Depth Assessment

Overall Assessment: Very Strong Depth

Atlético Madrid have improved both the quality and variety of their squad. Central defence is deep, midfield has a much clearer balance, and Simeone has more creative and attacking profiles available than he did previously.

The main questions are specific rather than structural: right-back is less convincing than other defensive areas, and Álvarez’s deadline-day future could significantly alter the attacking assessment. If the Argentine remains, Atlético have enough depth to rotate effectively across La Liga and the Champions League without depending on one fixed XI.

Conclusion

Atlético Madrid’s 2026/27 squad is stronger because the summer recruitment has addressed specific tactical needs rather than simply adding numbers.

Cristian Romero strengthens an already impressive defence, Morten Hjulmand improves midfield balance, and Alejandro Grimaldo, Kang-in Lee and Ademola Lookman give Diego Simeone more ways to attack.

The biggest variable remains Julián Álvarez. As long as he stays, Atlético have high-quality options across almost every department.

With eight Champions League league-phase matches alongside their domestic commitments, that depth should be valuable throughout the season. The squad now looks capable of rotating without losing its core identity—a major advantage for a team expected to compete seriously on multiple fronts.