MOVING RIGHT in the DIRECTION
Atletico a better club for Doherty than Spurs
THE first thing to note about Matt Doherty’s transfer from Spurs to Atletico Madrid on deadline day is that it’s not a sideways move. Had Doherty agreed to go to a West Ham or a Valencia, it might have appeared that way but instead he’s signed for a club that is bigger in Spain than Spurs are in England. Before the wrath of the Jimmy Greaves Fan Club is unleashed, compare the honours board of the respective clubs. ‘Atleti’ have won 11 La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey ten times and have four UEFA club triumphs, one in the Cup Winners’ Cup and three in the Europa League. Spurs, on the other hand, have been English champions twice, have won the FA Cup on eight occasions, and have three UEFA club trophies to their name. They are 15 years without a gong. The tale of the tape reads: 11-10-4 for Atletico versus 2-8-3 for Spurs. Only one winner there.Doherty is stepping into a club that has been used to challenging for major honours under Diego Simeone, even if 2022-23 is different following the club’s exit from Europe and the Spanish Cup.
Atletico are 13 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, while Spurs are 14 points adrift of Arsenal in the Premier League. As to the reason why Doherty agreed to leave Spurs, that appears to have come about as a curious loss of faith by Antonio Conte, a manager who can be as volatile and voluble as Simeone.
Prior to the Premier League break, Doherty was assured by Conte that when the World Cup was over he was very much in his first team plans and would be given his chance.
The first third of the season hadn’t gone as the Swords fullback liked as he built up his fitness levels following a summer knee operation.
Initially, Conte seemed good to his word. Doherty started against Brentford (2-2), Aston Villa (0-1) and Crystal Palace (4-0), where he scored and had an assist.
An energetic and athletic presence on the right flank, in defence and attack, where he linked up smartly with Harry Kane, Doherty appeared secure in the first XI.
But the 2-0 home defeat by Arsenal on January 15 appears to have been a watershed moment. Conte axed the Dubliner for the next two Premier League games against Manchester City (2-4) and Fulham (1-0), opting to start Emerson Royal instead.
Doherty’s return for the FA Cup fourth round win last weekend against Preston (3-0) was to allow his replacement a rest.
With Conte pursuing another right back, Pedro Porro of Sporting Lisbon, as the clock ticked down on deadline day, Doherty could see himself slipping to third in line, which would have further curtailed his game time.
Just turned 31, and with the Euro 2024 campaign kicking off in March, Doherty needs to be playing regularly as he is crucial to Stephen Kenny’s plans.
Two of his new team-mates, Antoine Griezmann (France) and Memphis Depay (Holland), stand between Ireland and a top-two finish.
Before signing, he may have checked out the lie of the land at Atletico via Sergio Reguilon, a Spurs team-mate and fellow fullback who is on loan there.
By coincidence, Doherty and Reguilon were signed by Spurs for big money in 2020 when Jose Mourinho was in charge.
What they hoped for in terms of trophies and game time didn’t materialise — Spurs’ last silverware was the League Cup in 2008 when Juande Ramos was in charge.
While Spain is always fine for the holidays, it hasn’t been a place of work for many Irish footballers over the years and Doherty is the first Irishman to sign for any of the Madrid clubs, Real, Atletico, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe.
Alan Campbell was the pathfinder in 1984, followed by Liam Buckley, also of Shamrock Rovers. Both signed for Racing Santander.
Osasuna, who play out of Pamplona, signed Ashley Grimes in 1987 and the late Michael Robninson in 1989.
Kevin Moran talks fondly of his two seasons (1988-90) at Sporting Gijon while John Aldridge became a hit at Real Sociedad (1989-91) with 40 goals in 75 games.
Since the turn of the millennium, only Ian Harte, who made 66 appearances for Levante from 2004 to 2007, and Steve Finnan, who had an injury-ravaged season at Espanyol in 2008-09, plied their trade in Spain.
The most successful Irish emigre to Spain was, of course, Dubliner Patrick O’Connell.
Don Patricio, as he was known, managed Santander, Oviedo, Real Betis, Sevilla and Barcelona. He led Betis to their only La Liga title in 1935.
The challenge for Doherty is to figure in as many of Atletico’s remaining 19 La Liga games — they play Real Madrid away this month — and help the club to a top-four finish and a Champions League return.
From London, one great football city, to another in the Spanish capital of Madrid, there are worse places to earn a living.