Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was all praises for Saul Niguez’s display against Southampton in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup showdown at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues emerged narrow victors over the Saints following a penalty shootout and booked their place in the forthcoming round of the cup competition with Reece James netting the winning effort.
Tuchel handed a rare berth on the starting teamsheet to his deadline day recruit Saul Niguez who had linked up with Chelsea in the final hours of this summer’s transfer window but has been unable to adapt to life in the Premier League.
Handed a chance in the centre of the park, Saul put out a solid showing and could be in line to be given greater first-team football by his boss Thomas Tuchel who voiced praise for the former in the aftermath of the game.
In his post-match remarks to Chelsea TV ( via The Metro), Tuchel admitted that Saul had levelled up his performance and he had taken a step in the right direction early on in his life in the Chelsea shirt.
“Was a good match, a huge step in the right direction for him. I am happy.
“We thought maybe he would be struggling with the intensity at the 70th minute but he got better and better, had chances and shots. We thought let’s keep him and give him the minutes. It was a good step for him.”
