45. Jan Oblak

Everyone involved will be looking forward to the return of La Liga football, more so Atlético Madrid fans, who will be watching their team play at home in a new stadium. Jan Oblak, who would normally be used to having Frente Atlético behind him, has had speculation around him saying that may find it uncomfortable in the new stadium. Though, if his away performances are anything to go off, all Colchoneros have every faith in him.

Atlético paid 16 million euros for his services, from Benfica, making him the most expensive in La Liga history. He was signed to replace loanee goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, although initially, he had to play second fiddle to Moya. It was not until March that Jan Oblak proved himself under Cholo; Moya’s injury in the first half meant that the Slovenian would finally get his chance at the big stage. Oblak managed to save a penalty from set-piece specialist Hakan Çalhanoğlu as Atleti managed to beat Bayer Leverkusen on penalties.

Since this memorable day in his career, Oblak is now undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in La Liga, despite being just 24. He is not one of the most passionate players in a team who wear their hearts on their sleeves, though he has shown what the club really means to him, and he will go from strength to strength under Diego Simeone.

Atlético are set to announce Oblak’s new contract, increasing his release clause to 150 million euros, which highlights the importance of him in Atleti’s eyes. The Rojiblanco goalkeeper was one of the best performers of the season last year, with his absence standing out when injured. His star moment was a phenomenal triple save against Bayer Leverkusen, (yes, again he performed well against the German club in the Champions League), showing off his presence, positioning and reflexes.

Thanks to Oblak, in the 2015-2016 season, Atlético had kept the most clean sheets in the top leagues across the world. As well as this, Atlético managed to reach the Champions League final, keeping a vital clean sheet in the home-tie against European giants Bayern Munich.

Despite Atleti’s great record with goalkeepers – Courtois, Molina and De Gea to name a few – Jan Oblak for me and for others, will be the best to go down in Atlético history.

Jan Oblak has been one of the best transfers that Atlético have made in recent times. With his young age, not only is he the present – Jan Oblak is the future of Atleti.

By: Sean Walker-@SeanWalker