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Saul Niguez has hinted he will wear the No 17 shirt at Chelsea after completing his last-minute switch to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid late on deadline day. The move exploded into life on Tuesday afternoon when a number of agents pulled together to try and finalise the deal that has been speculated about for many weeks.
Saul has featured in all three of Atletico’s La Liga matches so far this season but the Spanish giants were ready to wave goodbye to the midfielder, who signed a whopping nine-year deal back in 2017.
Chelsea will pay an initial loan fee of £3.4million and will then have the chance to sign Saul for £30m at the end of the season.
He is expected to arrive in London today, when he will get the chance to meet some of his new team mates.
The Spanish international has not been selected for Luis Enrique’s latest squad for World Cup qualifiers against Sweden, Georgia and Kosovo, meaning he will have some time to rest before embarking on his new venture.
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He said: “It’s a number I had at Atletico Madrid, it’s a number I like. I had it at Atletico. I had it in my early days.”
The Atletico Madrid man also revealed he was told by Thomas Tuchel that he will be playing in central midfield, a factor that proved decisive when he was considering his future.
He continued: “At 11:57 p.m. we finished reviewing the contract and they had to see it there… I was like [David] De Gea. I thought: ‘This is not going to come in and that’s it.’ It has been a long afternoon and night.
“My wife was very nervous, we have had some very complicated days, because this decision is not easy. Leaving my house on a new adventure is complicated.
“Chelsea has promised me to train in my position, to play we will see. To return to certain customs that I do not do now, 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.”
As of Monday, Saul believed he was staying at Chelsea before a dramatic swing of events and he now plans to learn English as he gears up for his new chapter in west London.
“They are the Champions of Europe,” he elaborated. “It’s very positive for me. My parents can’t believe it. They are Atletico fans! It’s a great opportunity for me, they are happy for me.
“They are a fantastic team in the Premier League. I don’t speak English, I want to learn it. I know how to say what my name is! That’s it.”
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