Saul Niguez says the chance to play in midfield once again was vital in his decision to join Chelsea – also saying he might not have joined the club if it wasn’t for Kepa.
Saul joined the London club in the final hours of the summer transfer window on Tuesday, arriving on a season-long loan with the option to sign permanently.
Despite Atletico’s league success last season, he endured an underwhelming campaign where he struggled for game time in his preferred role.
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Speaking on his Twitch channel after confirmation of the move, Saul said: ‘I don’t know if I would endure a season like last year or two years ago. I know I could have been happy for a few days or a few weeks at home.
‘But I needed to find myself again and the possibility of Chelsea arose, a true European champion. It is the most complicated thing, the decision to leave, because I am leaving alone without my wife or my family and hardly knowing English.’
Saul now hopes to earn minutes playing in his preferred no8 role at Stamford Bridge this campaign.
‘The only negative was not playing in my position [at Atletico],’ he continued.
‘I could not show what I would like. I had a block in my head that did not allow me to play in another role. Chelsea’s option was to leave my comfort zone. It won’t be easy to get into that team.
‘At Chelsea I will train in my position. Then we will see if I play. That is the biggest cause of my decision.
‘I want to go to Chelsea, try the experience and then see what happens. I don’t want to think further. I want to go, compete and help Chelsea.
‘Personally, I want to go back to being the Saul that I want to see. I don’t want to see the Saul that you’ve seen these last two years. I was very frustrated not being able to show people what I am capable of.’
A move to Chelsea sees Saul link up with Kepa – and the 26-year-old conceding he might not have joined the Blues if it wasn’t for the presence of his old friend.
‘It is very important that he be there. It is an important step. If he had not been there, it would have been different.’
