Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly had a big role to play in the signing of Saul Niguez from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid this summer.
Saul, 26, completed a season-long loan move to Stamford Bridge on the transfer window’s deadline day.
The left-footed central midfielder has arrived in England for the first time in his career, so will be hoping to get off to a quick start with the Blues.
It’s a huge task for him to compete with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic for a starting position in the centre of the park. However, he’s got an abundance of elite experience from his Atletico career.
According to Goal, a key reason Saul decided to take on the challenge was because of a conversation on the phone with Tuchel.
It is understood that Chelsea won the race for the Spaniard’s loan signature ahead of Manchester United after the player held a conversation with the Blues manager.
The report explains Tuchel outlined plans to use Saul in midfield over the phone and he was a “deciding factor” in the transfer.
Thomas Tuchel an attractive manager for players
If you look at the improvement of the Chelsea squad since Tuchel took charge, you can see the calibre of manager currently at the club.
There are so many cases of individuals improving their game tenfold, so as an outsider looking in you surely want to experience something similar.
Saul has been a superb player in Spain for several years. Unfortunately, a summer transfer looked inevitable because his form has been up and down at Atletico in recent times.
Tuchel has welcomed to the squad someone, though, who earlier in his career looked one of the very best central midfielders in Europe.
Blues fans will hope their manager can unlock his true quality.
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