CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel reportedly convinced Saul Niguez to join the club ahead of Manchester United after speaking with him on the phone.
The Spanish midfielder joined the Blues on loan on deadline day from Atletico Madrid, with the club having the option to permanently sign him for £40million.
With the Champions League holders loaning out Billy Gilmour, Tuchel was keen to bring in a fourth midfielder to compete with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
And according to Goal, the German gaffer managed to persuade Saul to make the move to West London instead of Manchester.
They state that Chelsea and the Red Devils were the frontrunners to secure his services after Manchester City rejected the chance to sign him.
It has been said that Tuchel outlined his plans for the player in a phone call between the two.
Chelsea see Saul purely as a central midfielder, rather than deploying him in a number of midfield roles like Diego Simeone had done at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Saul, who has declared that Kepa Arrizabalaga was influential in his Chelsea transfer, has confirmed that Tuchel has promised him he would play in his preferred position.
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He told the Mirror: “Chelsea has promised me to train in my position, to play, we will see.
“That is the most important reason for my decision. The three midfielders who are playing are at a high level, it will not be easy to play.
“But if I put my mind to it and fight it, I can get it. I’ll give it a try and see what happens.
“Give it my all and help Chelsea so that he [Tuchel] can see the Saul I want to show.
“Not just a versatile player. They promised me that I would play in my position. It was very important.”
And after impressing Tuchel in training, Saul is now in contention to make his debut against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
