Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has claimed that he does not know when Slovenian national team goalkeeper Jan Oblak will return to first-team action. The 21-year-old recently completed a £ 15 million move to Atletico. He has been playing at Benfica for the last few seasons, but he is regarded as one of the talented goalkeepers in the world. Atletico wasted no time in completing the deal after they were made clear that Thibaut Courtois will not be returning for a fourth consecutive loan spell from Chelsea.
However, it is looking unclear if Jan Oblak will be part of the team in the opening match of the season. After winning the league title last season, Atletico will be hoping for a good start. Manager Simeone, though, says that the player has been struggling with a back injury for some time. Hence, he is not sure whether the 21-year-old will be part of the starting line-up. This does not place Atletico at a disadvantage given that they have signed another top goalkeeper in the form of Miguel Moya in the summer. The Spanish goalkeeper has come from Getafe and he will provide an experienced alternative for Oblak.
Despite being only 21 years old, Oblak has already made three appearances for the Slovenian national team. He is regarded as someone who can reach the level of Courtois in the next few years.
"[Oblak] is a question for the medical department. Dr Villalon (Atletico's head of medical services) will surely inform us about it, and that's who he's working with," said the Atletico manager. Despite winning the league title last season, the club has undergone several changes this summer. A number of players like Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, and David Villa have left the club, but there is some source of positivity with the signings of Mario Mandzukic and others.