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'He took a huge step forward': Saul Niguez is praised by Thomas Tuchel after last-minute call-up shines in Chelsea's Carabao Cup win over Tottenham - following four months of misery since his loan move

Saul Niguez's Chelsea career may finally have kickstarted after he was singled out for praise by his boss, Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel called the loan signing's performance 'a huge step forward' in Wednesday's 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory over Tottenham.

Chelsea were forced into a last-minute formation switch after Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante tested positive for Covid.

Saul Niguez joined Chelsea last summer from Atletico Madrid but has struggled so far
Yet he put in a vastly improved performance against Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final

Yet he put in a vastly improved performance against Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final

Saul stepped up for just his seventh Chelsea start since joining the Blues on loan from Atletico Madrid in September, operating in a more familiar central midfield role in a 4-3-3 system.