Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has delivered a stern telling off to his club teammate Antoine Griezmann, warning the Frenchman to stick to team values after remarks regarding their La Liga form,Goal.comreports.
Last season's Champions League runners-up have started theSpanish season in sluggish form and already find themselves four points behind Real Madrid and Barcelona after two rounds of La Liga.
An opening day 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Alaveswas followed by a stalemate with another recently promoted side, Leganes. The two opening draws prompted Griezmann to warn his side that a relegation battle could be upon them should they fail to improve.
Those remarks have not been taken too kindly by his teammate Saul Niguez andSpain international, 21, warned the Frenchman to be mindful of what he says in the media as to not upset team morale.
The 21-year-old, currently on international duty, told Spanish media:"Griezmann needs to think about what he says.
"You have to think about where you are and what team you represent.
"It is true that at the end of the match, tiredness, the heat, everything comes together but you cannot say that.
"We have values and we cannot say that."
Manager Diego Simeone told reporters after the 0-0 draw with Leganes that his side's fortunes would change once they start converting the numerous chances they create.
"In other matches we had fewer chances to score and we scored and in these first two games it's been the opposite. Now, we have to be calm and continue working.
"The team is eager to demonstrate the full potential. I'm very happy with the work of the players."