Chelsea boss Tuchel has no excuse for failure after Saul Niguez deal adds depth to defensive midfield options

BY PAUL LAGAN

There can be no excuses for Thomas Tuchel if Chelsea fail to mount a Premier League challenge and progress very deep in the Champions League and domestic cup competitions.

Having already signed striker Romelu Lukaku, the so-called final piece in the team puzzle, the Blues made a deadline day loan deal with Atletico Madrid to bolster the defensive side of their midfield.

They have taken Saul Niguez, 26, who will compete for a berth with Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante.

There is an option, not an obligation, to make the move permanent.

That will depend on the ongoing fitness worries concerning Kante, who has started to be injured on a more frequent basis.

Forgotten man Danny Drinkwater, who cost Chelsea £35million from Leicester City in 2017, has gone out on loan to Championship strugglers Reading for the season.

The midfielder, 31, has had a torrid time at SW6, starting just five league games and the club have failed to offload him permanently – partly due to his high wages.

It’s believed the Blues will be paying a percentage of his salary.

Drinkwater said: “I’m delighted to be able to join Reading for a full season.

“To get my match fitness and to enjoy my football again is so important for me.

“It’s a great opportunity to help this club on its path. New team, new targets, and new challenges.

But one man left in footballing limbo is Ross Barkley.

The midfielder doesn’t have a squad number and just trains and goes about his business in a professional way, knowing that he won’t be plying his trade on match days.

Chelsea have permanently got 23 players – from first-teamers to youth rejects – off their wage bill in what has been a SW6 revolving door in terms of activity.

There are also 21 players out on loan.

Perhaps saddess of all is Izzy Brown who has been released.

Here was an attacking midfielder, poached from West Bromwich Albion in 2013, who was tipped to be a major star for the Blues.

He is still just 24, but a series of injuries and poor loan deals failed to convince the hierarchy that he was worth persevering with.

Chelsea Women start the defence of their WSL crown with a tough trip to Arsenal on Sunday.