On the final day of the transfer window, Chelsea unexpectedly borrowed midfielder Saul Neggs from Atletico Madrid for €5 million; there was a €40 million buyout clause after the season. The 26-year-old Spain international was once the most high-hope midfielder in the world, but can he succeed with the Blues?
Saúl Ñíguez rose to fame at a young age and gradually played the main position at Atletico Madrid in 2014; he has a huge amount of running power and a certain ability to sweep; he is a full-fledged midfielder with long-range shooting, combing and passing skills. However, Simeone repeatedly asked Saul Negus to play in different positions, such as left and right midfielders, backs, front waists and even full-backs, although his ability can also be competent in various positions, but the excessive frequency of positional changes has gradually depleted his aura and aura.
At Chelsea, the team already has plenty of manpower in all positions, and it is believed that Saul Negus will not leave his old midfield position if it were not for the crisis. In midfield, Chelsea already have three international players of equal strength, and Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Zoginho are a waste of whoever is on the bench. However, Kante has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and was replaced by half-time due to suspected injury in the match against Liverpool; if this happens again on the way to the title, it will be a serious blow to Chelsea. Croatian Mateo Kovacic is also not an ironman midfielder who can play all seasons, so in terms of the "volume" of midfield, Chelsea definitely need to bring in reinforcements.
Saul came from Atletico Madrid, known for his defensive pressing style, and his defensive roots are strong enough to put him in the midfield line of any European team. Although there are signs of decline in the offensive data of Tysauer Neggs, his passing ability and sweeping power are still strong. Compared to Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho, Saul Neggs offers Thomas Tuchel a midfield option with a more diverse type and characteristics. Compared to the trio, Saul Negus has a more direct job on the offensive end and is more willing to shoot with his feet, which is quite important for teams that need to break through dense defenses. Most importantly, Saul Negus has a height of 1.84 meters, which can indeed significantly improve the team's air superiority for the average diminutive Chelsea midfield line.
There is also a shortage of Spanish players in the Blue Army, such as Kepa, Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonsosu and so on. Among them, Kepa was Saul Neggs' teammate in the Spanish youth team, so his adaptation should not be a problem. Saul Neggs, who has a whopping 90 million euros in the transfer market, is evident in his own strength, and if Thomas Tuchel can activate the Spaniard, it may be really possible to regain the Lost Premier League title for Chelsea for four seasons.