Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has explained why he subbed off midfielder, Saul Niguez during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Watford on Wednesday.
Injuries to N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and fitness doubts over Jorginho meant the on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder was handed just a second league start of the season.
As it transpired, Saul only lasted 45 minutes at Vicarage Road.
Watford’s forward Emmanuel Dennis cancelled out Mason Mount’s opener for Chelsea in the first half only for substitute Hakim Ziyech to put the Blues in front again, making sure Thomas Tuchel’s men left Vicarage Road with all three points.
The Spain International struggled in the first half and was replaced by Thiago Silva at the interval.
Speaking after match. Tuchel was asked about Saul’s substitution, he (Tuchel) said: “I don’t know where he (Saul) goes from this performance but he was on a yellow card so we had two options – take Marcos off who also had a yellow card and try Saul as a wing-back. I had this in my mind before the game, if something happened to Marcos.
“I thought maybe it was not the right match to try things with new positions so it was him to change the shape a little bit and have Thiago on the pitch with his organising.
Chelsea face London rivals West Ham on Saturday while Watford return to action against defending champions Manchester City.
