Saul Niguez has revealed that Thomas Tuchel reassured him after his disappointing Chelsea debut while Petr Cech also offered some words of advice.
The Spanish midfielder arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid and was given a start against Aston Villa, though he was substituted after just 45 minutes having gifted the visitors several opportunities.
Saul played no part in either of Chelsea’s subsequent matches against Zenit and Tottenham, though could feature against Aston Villa again on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
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The 26-year-old says his debut did not go as planned but is much better after speaking to Tuchel and Cech – and knows it will take time to adapt to the Premier League.
‘Tuchel’s English is easy to understand. I don’t speak England very well but I understand a bit,’ Saul told Fabrizio Romano in an interview on his YouTube channel.
‘But he speaks good English, I had a meeting with him and we understood each other very well. ‘I also thank him because in the first game with one day of training the fact that I started is a sign of his courage and confidence in me.
‘He had a chat with me after the game to tell me to be calm and that I have to adapt, this is new. He told me that he put me in the starting XI because I had trained very well.
‘But of course I only had one workout so it was difficult or me. The language, the stadium, everything new to me. A lot of information and it was what everyone saw in the game, I was lost and not knowing where I was.
‘It was difficult, but the way Tuchel approached me after the game, it made me feel better and it was really appreciated.
‘Also, Petr Cech told me to be calm, that I have to adapt to the Premier League. Thiago Silva also told me that he had a bad experience in his debut.
‘These things happen when you are not used to this league and even if you are a very good player it is difficult. Getting to know your teammates, the stadium, the fans. And I think in a couple of months I will be able to be at a very high level.’
