Tuchel explained why the Spain international midfielder hasn’t played for Chelsea in the Premier League since getting hooked part-time during his nightmarish debut for the Blues against Aston Villa.
What did Tuchel say about Saul Niguez?
Saul Niguez, 26, was escorted to Stamford Bridge on the day of the transfer deadline under the original loan agreement from Atlético Madrid. Saul Niguez was pulled straight into the starting XI Thomas Tuchel against Villa on September 11, but saw just 45 minutes of action and played just 76 more since then against those same opponents in the Carabao Cup.
When asked why Saul Niguez has not been used in high-level competition since its debut, when Barkley and Loftus-Cheek competed for a 3-1 victory over Southampton last time, Thomas Tuchel said that Saul was very, very close to the start.
In the end Tuchel decided against him because he thought to put him in another high pressing match, against the opponent pressing so high in the center of the serve, would it be fair to say that it is good to prove it now and see if your adaptation has gone further?
According to Thomas, he hesitated a little. Saul Niguez needn’t worry. Just work hard and adapt and the chances will come. They only have 11 to give a chance. Thomas would like to see this in a positive way. If they flip it, of course they have eight players that they didn’t trust today from the start. This is reality. Tuchel cannot hide from this reality.
Saul faces competition
The 26-year-old was not included in the last Spain squad, so an international break to focus on his club career. Saul faces stiff competition for seats in west London, but he is the Europa League and La Liga title holder who made 340 appearances for Atlético before heading to England. Chelsea’s next game, as they seek to cement their spot at the top of the Premier League table, will be against Brentford on 16 October.