Fee – Loan

Primary Position – Central Midfield

Other position(s) – Left Midfield / Defensive Midfield

Last season’s form – Games 33 / 2 goals 2 assists

Born in Elche, Spain in 1994, Saúl is a product of Atlético Madrid’s youth academy and he made his senior debut for the first team in March 2012 at the age of 17. He was then loaned to Rayo Vallecano in 2013/14 and made 34 appearances before returning to Atlético in 2014. Over a total of 227 appearances spanning eight seasons he scored 26 goals for the Spanish side and was a mainstay in their starting lineup, both in the league and in Europe. He has also regularly featured for the Spanish national side over the last four seasons with three goals in 19 appearances.

A versatile player, Saúl was used as a central defender by Rayo Vallecano but played largely in central midfield for Atlético Madrid. A hard working, box-to-box player with an eye for goal, he was largely responsible for progressing the ball up the field for his side. He joins a Chelsea side already blessed with midfield options in Kante, Kovacic and Jorginho so it is unlikely he is thrown into the starting lineup right away. His goal scoring record over his career indicates that he might not be a great Fantasy Premier League (FPL) option but his work rate in midfield should make the Blues a better side overall, at both ends of the pitch.