Alexander Sørloth has been battling for increased playing time at Atletico Madrid this season, and recent developments suggest he is beginning to succeed. The striker has largely played a supporting role to Julian Alvarez since the Argentinian arrived at the Spanish club, but he has been determined to alter that dynamic and earn greater responsibility within the team.
Although Sørloth has started most matches on the bench, his influence has been difficult to ignore. Almost every time he has stepped onto the pitch, he has made a tangible impact, contributing energy, physical presence, and decisive moments in attack. His consistent effectiveness has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, who continue to value his contributions despite his limited minutes.
Growing importance within the squad
Atletico view Sørloth as one of their most important players, which explains why the club have firmly ruled out the possibility of selling him in the upcoming transfer window. Rather than allowing him to leave, the focus has shifted towards integrating him more fully into the starting line-up. This reflects a broader belief that his qualities can offer something different and valuable to the team’s attacking structure.
According to Sporten, Atletico have decided to reward his performances by granting him more game time. The report suggests that Sørloth is likely to become a regular starter over the next few weeks, signalling a significant change in his status. This increased trust presents the striker with a major opportunity to cement his place and justify the confidence being shown in him.
Future plans and attacking partnerships
Looking ahead, Atletico are also planning for next season and are exploring potential attacking partnerships. The same report indicates that the club are interested in pairing Sørloth with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who is currently at Barcelona on loan. While Rashford has performed well in Spain, Barcelona are not expected to make his move permanent, creating an opening for Atletico to pursue him.
The intention is to strengthen the squad without sacrificing Sørloth, with the Norway international viewed as central to those plans rather than expendable. Partnering him with Rashford could provide balance and variety in attack, combining physicality with pace and directness.
For Sørloth, the challenge now is clear. With more starts likely, he will be eager to repay the manager’s faith by delivering strong performances from the outset of matches and establishing himself as a key figure in Atletico’s ambitions.
