Chelsea appeared to have landed a coup by snatching Liverpool target Saul in August, but the reality is very, very different.
Saul decided to leave Atletico Madrid before the transfer deadline amid strong links to the Premier League.
Liverpool were very keen. Mundo Deportivo reported that Jurgen Klopp wanted Saul as a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum.
A €40million (£34million) bid came in from Liverpool according to that report, but Atletico said no.
Liverpool then backed away and decided not to sign a new midfielder before the deadline.
Saul did find his way to England though as Chelsea secured a season-long loan move, covering his £115,000-a-week wages in the process.
That seemed like a great move at the time, and Liverpool fans were angry at missing out.
Saul started against Aston Villa in September but was substituted at half time – and the embarrassment has repeated itself.
Thomas Tuchel gave Saul a chance against Watford on Wednesday night; just his second Premier League start.
Just like against Villa, Saul was hooked at half time.
It’s clear that Tuchel isn’t happy with what he’s seeing from Saul, and a permanent move to Chelsea looks impossible right now.
Who knows when Saul will actually get another chance in the Chelsea side. What we do know is that Liverpool fans probably aren’t quite so angry now.
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