Former Atletico Madrid star Jose Luis Caminero has declared Antoine Griezmann their 'franchise player'.

Caminero says Griezemann is now the outright leader of the team.

He told AS: "He is the team's franchise player, that's clear, and he knows it. Furthermore, (Diego) Simeone totally trusts him and is his favourite player. The problem is when he is not in tune.

"When he doesn't have a good day the team notices it and it is difficult for him to create danger in the rival area. He is a leader and a reference, he has freedom to move and quality to decide, that is why the team leans on him a lot when he does not appear with continuity."

Caminero was sporting director when Atletico appointed Simeone as coach.

He also said: "There were many people involved in that operation. He was in Argentina and had to be convinced to take the step of coming. We were not doing well at that time and we needed a coach to give stability and order to a project.

"We bet on him thinking he was the ideal person and it was a success. The time he has led the team has been earned by him with his wisdom and his way of managing the group."