A potent defender who can play either left back or centrally, Lucas broke into the first team this year, but now he needs to break into the first XI. With the struggles of Diego Godín’s partners this season, and he’s put in quality performances this season against Valencia and Bayern. Filipe Luís has been picked for nearly all of Diego Simeone’s side’s matches this season, and recently he picked up a thigh injury that has put him out for a month on the sidelines. Lucas, a product of Atlético Madrid’s youth academy, could be the long term replacement for the Brazilian. A solid deep block defender with quick instincts, he has molded a reputation across the Manzanares for being a big game player. Thrown into the deep with an injury crisis plaguing Someone’s side in April, the Frenchman was extraordinary in eliminating the defending European kings from the Champions League, and nullifying the best attacking trident in world football. His clearances and quick reactions are enough to make any Catenaccio lover weep, and his powerful, Cholo-induced aggression gives him an edge over some of France’s, shall we say, soft defenders.
Photo Credit: Juan Aguado (MARCA)