Tuchel explains why Saul missed out vs Southampton & how midfielder can earn chance at Chelsea

Saul Niguez’s Chelsea stint

Saul Niguez would join Chelsea on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day this summer.

The Spaniard looked to be a real coupe for the Blues, who were arguably a man short in central midfield – especially with N’Golo Kante’s persisting injury issues.

And, the experienced Saul looked like a great 4^th man for Thomas Tuchel and co. However, Saul’s Chelsea stint did not get off to a great start, with the midfielder being subbed off after 45 minutes vs Aston Villa.

Why Saul didn’t feature vs Southampton

Saul has since been left on the bench for both of Chelsea’s Champions League clashes and their following three league games.

The Londoner’s last league outing would see them beat Southampton 3-1 on Saturday to go top of the Premier League.

Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel gestures on the touchline during the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on May 15, 2021. – – NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Nick Potts / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

And now, Thomas Tuchel has been discussing Saul post-Southampton. Firstly, the German revealed that Saul just needs to work hard and adapt to get his chances:

“He does not need to worry. Just work hard and adapt and the chances will come.

“We have only 11 to give a chance. I would like to see it in a positive way.

“If you turn it around of course you have eight players who we didn’t trust today from the beginning. This is a reality. I cannot hide from this reality.”

Tuchel would also explain why Saul did not start against the Saints, stating that he was close to starting, but Tuchel decided against it because he did not want to put Saul in another high pressing match against a high pressing opponent:

“I will always do my choices in the best belief for the team and best belief in this moment and for these type of games. There will always be tactical choices and choices of current form and of connections on the field.

“Particularly about Saul, he was very, very close to start today. In the end I decided against him because I thought to put him in another high pressing match, an opponent pressing so high in the centre of the pitch, would it be fair to say ‘okay, now prove it and let’s see if your adaption has gone further’ and I hesitated a little bit.

“I have to take the selection and take the responsibility for the selection and eight players today did not like it. It is also life at Chelsea and we have to keep on going and keep everyone positive.

“The guys have to work for their form because form is most important – form and confidence and a positive attitude. He has everything.”

Quotes via football.london.

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