Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits he will hold talks with Saul Niguel about his future at Stamford Bridge when the season comes to an end.
In August, Saul joined the Blues on loan for the season from Spanish side Atletico Madrid. The deal also has the option to make the deal a permanent one, although it is unclear whether Saul will be signed permanently or sent back to his native Spain at this stage.
For Saul, the loan move to Stamford Bridge has not been that has come with too many first team chances. The 27-year-old has only played 21 times in all competitions this term, including just eight Premier League appearances, just four have been in the starting line-up.
In midfield, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all found themselves ahead of Saul in the pecking order for Tuchel’s side, with Saul moved to a makeshift wing-back role during his limited number of minutes this season.
While Saul is not a regular under Tuchel, the German has been pleased with his continued efforts and contributions when he does play and in training. Given the uncertainty around what business Chelsea will be allowed to conduct in the summer window due to the club’s current ownership situation, Saul could still be considered as a permanent deal, with Chelsea doing similar when signing Kovacic permanently from Real Madrid in 2019 after a loan spell.
For Tuchel, he is shelving talks with Saul for now as the club continue their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League. “We'll talk about it at the end of the season,” said Tuchel. At the moment, it's a difficult situation for him personally, but I like that he still gives his input.
Should Chelsea keep Saul Niguez beyond this season? Have your say in the comments below.
“It's like this in team sports - even if it doesn't make you happy - and I'm sure he's not - he's still positive and still pushing. It means a lot to me and the atmosphere in the dressing-room that he stays competitive within the group.
“I don’t have a lot of good news for him when I tell him the line-up, but he needs to stay involved, mentally and physically, and that's what he does, although it's not easy. It's for the end of the season, now is not the time, but we still need to fight for qualification for the Champions League and the best possible outcome.”
In his 21 appearances in all competitions this season for Chelsea, Saul has scored once in the FA Cup fifth-round win away at Luton Town, a result that helped them to reach the final of the competition. The Blues will face Liverpool in next month’s final at Wembley Stadium, hoping to stop Jurgen Klopp’s side from becoming the first English club to win the quadruple (Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League) in the same season.
Saul has played just two full 90 minutes in the Premier League this season. Both were as a left wing-back in away wins over Burnley and Norwich City, two sides in the battle to avoid relegation down from England’s top flight.
Chelsea currently sit third in the Premier League table after drawing 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with fellow Spaniard Marcos Alonso scoring the opener for the Blues.
Should Chelsea pick up nine points from their final five games, they will secure both a top-four spot and third place, ensuring they will play in the Champions League again next season.
