London calls for Saul: Chelsea’s new loan signing jets in to start work with Thomas Tuchel while team-mates are away on international duty, after fall-out over his position at Atletico Madrid
- Chelsea’s deadline-day loan signing Saul Niguez has jetted off to London
- Atletico Madrid midfielder completed a temporary move to the Blues on Tuesday
- Saul will get down to work with his new team-mates during international break
Chelsea’s deadline-day loan signing Saul Niguez has jetted off to London to get down to work at his club after making the switch from Atletico Madrid.
The midfielder completed a temporary move to the Blues on Tuesday just three minutes before the transfer window slammed shut.
And he uploaded two photos on social media of himself departing for his new surroundings in England on Wednesday. The caption on Twitter read: ‘See you there!!! @ChelseaFC’.
Midfielder Saul Niguez posted photos of himself heading to London after sealing Chelsea loan
The Atletico Madrid man completed a temporary move to the Blues on transfer deadline day
Saul had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer but Chelsea left it late to tie up the loan deal on the final day of the transfer window.
The Spaniard has notched 53 goals in 447 appearances for Atletico Madrid in almost a decade with the first team.
Saul won the Europa League twice, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish and UEFA Super Cups, and last season the league title at the Wanda Metropolitano. He missed jusy five LaLiga matches in the 2020-21 title-winning campaign.
However the 26-year-old revealed a clash with Atletico boss Diego Simeone forced him out of the club following his move to the Premier League.
Within moments of the deal being confirmed he appeared on Twitch with prominent Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos.
Llanos, who has a close relationship with many top footballers, including Lionel Messi, spoke to Saul about moving to England, leaving his family behind, not knowing the language and the influence of Spaniards in Chelsea’s dressing room.
Saul went on Twitch with streamer Ibai Llanos after sealing a loan switch to Chelsea
‘I spoke with (Diego) Simeone,’ he explained. ‘I have been playing in different positions for three seasons.
‘I owe everything to Diego and he must be selfish and think of the group.
‘I saw myself stuck in a position that was not mine. Chelsea’s option was to get out of the comfort zone, a challenge.
‘Chelsea has promised me to train in my position – to play we will see.’
Saul has long wanted to play further forward at Atletico, closer to that of a No 10, rather than a defensive midfield role which Simeone has preferred.
Saul revealed a clash with Atletico boss Diego Simeone (left) forced him out of the club
Conversations in training about being deployed in ‘my position’ proved fruitless and it was advised that he would be best served moving elsewhere.
‘I asked Simeone and Miguel Angel (Gil, the CEO) to train in my position,’ he added.
‘I understand that he refused and from there they decided this.
‘I’ve been here since I was 13 and it’s very hard. I want to take up other movements and positions that I did not perform from the other position. It is the most important reason for my decision.’
He added: ‘For me it has been the most difficult decision of my life and I have been advised by many people.
‘It’s a shame not being able to say goodbye to the fans. If I had known that the other day was the last day I would have done something else, approaching them and let them see what I feel. Supposedly that day I was staying, three days ago (against Villarreal) and yesterday it was also (the plan) that I stayed. It all (changed) today.’
Chelsea have the option to make Saul’s move permanent next summer after the initial loan deal cost them £4million.
On switching to the Premier League, Saul said: ‘I am very excited to start this new challenge with Chelsea.
‘Blues fans, I am one of you now and I can’t wait to wear the shirt, start training and see all of you. See you soon!’