Chelsea outcast Saul Niguez frustrated over lack of game time with Tuchel facing first man-management test
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THOMAS TUCHEL is facing his first test of man-management at Chelsea with frustrated Saul Niguez.
The on-loan midfielder is growing increasingly fed up at a lack of game time since signing on summer transfer deadline day.
Saul, 26, was brought in by Tuchel to use his experience in the push for major domestic and European titles this season.
The Atletico Madrid star was subbed at half time on a disappointing debut in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on September 11.
He then sat on the bench for the next five Premier League matches before getting a two-minute run out at Newcastle two weeks ago.
Since then he has stayed put on the sidelines as Chelsea battle to stay top of the table.
Saul has seen action in the Carabao Cup but while the player and his family are happy at life in London, the midfielder is desperate to be given more of a chance to continue his adaptation to English football.
A Spanish source told SunSport: “This is not quite what Saul was expecting. He is not stupid and doesn’t think he should play in every game, he knows it might take time to get used to English football.
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“But when he hardly plays in the Premier League, how can he adapt? He has come from a big club and has played in big games before. He wants to show he can handle it.
“He is not angry, he is happy in London, as is his girlfriend. They are determined to see out the move.
“But he would like the chance to play a bit more. Being on the bench so much has come as quite a surprise.”
Saul has lost his place in the Spain squad and will use this international break to try to convince Tuchel he is worth more of a show.
He will be training at the club ‘s Surrey base while many of his team-mates are away playing for their countries in the final round of World Cup qualifiers.
Saul has found himself falling down the pecking order lately.
Ross Barkley, who was not even initially allocated a squad number in August, is preferred to him.
Barkley was handed his first Premier League start since July last year for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Burnley while Saul stayed in the dugout.
The source added: “Saul is also understandably thinking about his place in the Spain squad. These things are important.”
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