Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was never keen on taking Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez on-loan this season.

The Blues completed a deadline day swoop for the former Atletico Madrid midfielder - signing him on loan with an option to make the deal permanent next summer.

However, Cadena SER says Tuchel only signed the 26-year-old for £4million as a "favour" to his representatives.

Saul has failed to make an impact since moving to Chelsea - having only featured five times for Tuchel's side since making his debut against Aston Villa on September 11.

He was hooked at half-time during that encounter and didn't feature in their next five Premier League outings before making a short cameo in a 3-0 win at Newcastle on October 30.