By: Ryan Bode
Jackson Martínez
Old Team: FC Porto
New Team: Atletíco Madrid
Basic Demographics:
Jackson Martínez is a 28 year-old striker that has played in many different leagues around the world. Originally from Columbia, Martinez first started with the Columbian club Medellín until he moved to Mexican club Chiapas FC. The Portuguese team FC Porto picked him up from there and has not looked back. His only position that fans see him play is center forward, due to his 6’1’’ frame. He plays for the national team as well, participating in the current Copa América and the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well.
What Was His Transfer Fee?
FC Porto paid only €8.5 million ($9.34 million) for his services and flipped him for a major profit. Atletico Madrid paid a hefty price for €35 million ($38.45 million) which is looks like a heavy price for Martinez. Atletico was willing to pay a hefty price to replace the hole left when Mandzukic decided to leave for Juventus. At 28 years-old, Atletico is expecting him to compete right away in La Liga, which is part of the reason why he was so expensive for Atletico.
What Does He Bring To Atletico Madrid?
He is a younger, better, more expensive version of Mario Mandzukic. He stands currently at 6’1’’, allowing him to go up and get balls in the air where the shorter defenders cannot reach. He follows Atletico Madrid’s run of strikers who know how to score. First they had Radamel Falcao on top, next they got Mario Mandzukic to fill the hole, and now they bring in Martinez. He scored 21 goals in 30 appearances for FC Porto in Premeira Liga (also of note: Martinez has led the league in goal scoring for the past 3 seasons), but what is more impressive is that he found the back of the net 7 times in 8 appearances in Champions League. This proves that Martinez can score goals at the highest level of competition, showing that he will be ready for anything that La Liga throws his way.
One of the abilities that Atletico needs to work on with Martinez is his field vision. Atletico Madrid is more about playing as a team rather than funnel through an individual, unlike the Spanish giants Real Madrid (Cristiano Ronaldo, etc.) and Barcelona (Lionel Messi, etc.). Atletico Madrid has beaten both these teams before, but only by playing as team. Martinez will need to learn to play with others and not hold the ball on for too long in order to achieve success in La Liga.
What Are His Outlooks?
The Good
Jackson Martinez contributes immediately to Atletico Madrid, scoring numerous key goals for Atletico as they make their way to the upper echelon of La Liga. Martinez quickly learns that it helps to succeed with a team rather than on his own. With the plenty of time that Martinez will receive at Atletico, he will be in the running to get the Golden Boot (awarded to the person with the most league goals) with Messi and Ronaldo, which is pretty good company to be in. Atletico Madrid will compete in Champions League as well with help from Martinez. If he learns to play with the team instead of against them, there is a possible Champions League Final spot calling their name.
The Bad
Jackson Martinez does not play well with others. He will still score numerous goals for Atletico Madrid, but his selfish attitude and tunnel vision with the ball forces many of his teammates to dislike him. This causes friction with the team, forcing players away from Atletico Madrid. Atletico have invested too much in Martinez to let him go for nothing, thus making them tough out this bad signing until they can possibly move him for a small loss.
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