Not only were the Blues strengthening their midfield with a proven winner at the highest level, but he was also expected to drive on Mateo Kovacic to even greater heights, with the Croatian’s position considered to be under the greatest threat following his arrival.
Instead, the player who appears to have responded most to Saul’s move is one whose Chelsea’s career looked to be over as a consequence.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s future was already bleak after returning from an unsuccessful loan at Fulham, let alone after seeing another obstacle to the first team placed in his way.
There was no great desire on his part to head out on another loan, but as the transfer window entered its final stages, that remained a possibility. His prospects were summed up by the fact Thomas Tuchel had to separate his bloated squad into two groups on the eve of the season: those who won the Champions League with him last term and another made up of Chelsea’s returning army of loan rangers.
Had a suitable club come forward, Loftus-Cheek would have been on the road again — and as a deal for Saul was secured in the final minutes of the transfer window, he must have feared the worst.
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