It’s not too unkind to say Saul’s loan move to Chelsea hasn’t worked out for the midfielder.
He’d become frustrated at Atletico Madrid, not necessarily due to a lack of matches, but more so because Diego Simeone didn’t always use him in his preferred midfield position.
Quite why he thought he’d be able to waltz into Thomas Tuchel’s side and find a cemented central midfield place is only known to Saul.
The 27-year-old spent most of his time with Chelsea on the bench, and AS now state the London club simply won’t be using their purchase clause.
For Saul, the situation is described as a ‘reality check’, and he now must appreciate what he had at Atletico Madrid, where he has a contract lasting until June 2026.
AS state Saul was looking for a ‘leading role’ at Chelsea, and that’s something which just didn’t happen. Now he has to throw himself under the orders of Simeone again, and play wherever and whenever the manager requests.
The threat to leave card has been played, and it failed.
