Football

Chelsea come to decision on future of loanee Saul Niguez

 

Word stemming from the Spanish media this weekend suggests that Chelsea have already come to a near-definitive decision on the future of Saul Niguez.

Blues hard at work

A busy summer of business on the west of London was of course brought to a conclusion late in August.

Already boasting a Champions League-winning squad, the majority of the work carried out by those in a position of power at Stamford Bridge came in the form of outgoings.

The likes of Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Kurt Zouma and Victor Moses were moved on on a permanent basis, whilst a host of others departed for respective loan spells away from the club.

Chelsea come to decision on future of loanee Saul Niguez

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Kurt Zouma of Chelsea shows appreciation to the fans during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 05, 2020 in London, England. A limited number of fans are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

On the incomings front, meanwhile, the return of Romelu Lukaku of course took the majority of the headlines.

The Belgian, fresh off the back of a scintillating campaign in Italy with Inter Milan, opted to link back up with the Pensioners, in a deal worth just shy of £100 million.

Then, just when it appeared as though Marina Granovskaia and co. had called time on their pursuit of reinforcements, another high-profile arrival was forthcoming on transfer deadline day.

The final player through the door at Stamford Bridge? Saul Niguez.

In what was viewed at the time as a potential steal on the part of Thomas Tuchel’s men, Spanish international Saul took his talents to the English capital on loan for the season, with the option to buy.

Atleti return

Saul’s start to life in England, however, has since proven far from ideal…

To this point, the 26-year-old has been afforded just a trio of appearances across all competitions.

So off the pace did Saul look on his Premier League bow, that Thomas Tuchel was ultimately left with little choice but to hook the debutant after just 45 minutes of a clash with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Since then, the midfielder has been afforded just a solitary start, during a League Cup outing, also against Villa.

In turn, it has already been suggested by some that Chelsea could simply make use of Saul’s abilities for the 2021/22 campaign, before sending him back to base in the Spanish capital next summer.

And such claims, if the latest speculation doing the rounds in his home country is anything to go by, may not be too far off the mark.

As per a report from Spanish outlet La Razon, the hierarchy in west London have absolutely ‘no intention’ of activating their option to buy Saul – understood to be worth around 40 million euro.

Not only that, but it is even suggested that Chelsea have already begun seeking out alternatives to their struggling loan star.

Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic is one such player to have been identified as a potential addition to Tuchel’s ranks in the middle of the park, with the Croatian’s contract set to expire at the end of the season.

In turn, ‘everything seems to indicate’ that Saul will soon be on his way.

 

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