on Seoul time

The confrontation with Simeone, the failure in England and the fear of becoming an irrelevant player at the age of 27. Saul knows that Atlético Madrid hopes to get rid of his heavy contract and even offered him to Juventus, whom they will meet in Bloomfield (Sunday, 21:30, Sport1), but is excited like a child from the comeback and tries to fight for his place

Tomer Yitzhak

01/08/2022

Monday, August 01, 2022, 6:00 p.m

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With the end of Atlético Madrid's warm-up game against Numancia last Wednesday, the thousands of fans who stood for 90 minutes around the small pitch in Borgo de Osama entered the grass and wanted to take advantage of every moment near the stars.

They asked for autographs, posed for pictures and got excited, but there was one person who was even more excited.

His name is Saul.

The 27-year-old midfielder returned after a traumatic loan year at Chelsea, came in as a substitute with the number 17 on his back (he played with it before switching to 8, six years ago) and then expressed his feelings on Twitter.

"What a feeling!" he tweeted.

"It's been a long time since I was so nervous before a game. I was excited as if it was my first appearance in an athletic uniform. Thanks to the fans for all the love."

For Seoul, it was also a message to the club that has been trying to get rid of his heavy contract since the opening of the transfer window and to coach Diego Simeone, with whom he had professional disagreements that led to the temporary separation the previous summer.

He is here to stay, even if the odds are against him.

Like it's the debut.

Seoul in the preparatory game against Nomencia (Photo: GettyImages, Quality Sport Images)

Saul was one of Cholo's loyal soldiers.

He made sure to thank the coach who gave him his debut more than a decade ago and thanks to whom he became an icon at Atlético after his return from the loan at Rayo Vallecano (season 2013/14) and also a player of the Spanish national team.

The midfielder recorded an average of 45 games per season from 2016, scored crucial goals, was a senior partner in achievements and received an upgraded contract until 2026, but two years ago something was shaken in the relationship between him and the coach.

Simeone continued to use Saul in a variety of positions and often even as a left defender, while the midfielder wanted to play in the midfield and in a position that would allow him to express himself offensively as well.

This feeling intensified after he contributed one goal and one assist in 41 games in all formats (of which 30 in the lineup) in the 2020/21 season.

"What made him the player he is, is the ability to play in any position," Cholo explained in an interview with "AS" last summer.

"But he, or the people around him, see it as something negative. So if he finds a group,

Manchester United and Liverpool wanted him, and the option that flashed the most was a move to Barcelona as part of a trade for Antoine Griezmann, but in the end Saul had to wait until the last minutes of the transfer window to sign for Chelsea on loan.

"I asked Simeone to play in my position, after three years in which I filled different positions," he explained after moving to London.

"He refused and then it was decided that I wouldn't continue. Chelsea assured me that I could play in my position, more forward. It's the hardest decision of my life, but I was blocked and this decision can set me free. I couldn't show people what I'm capable of. It's frustrating not learning, no To improve and not progress. I owe everything to Diego and understand that he has to think about the good of the team. It's time for me to get out of my comfort zone, it's a big challenge."

This departure from the comfort zone only made Saul appreciate the house more.

He did thank Chelsea for a year that helped him "reset after a bad emotional period" and welcomed the opportunity to experience a new culture and a different league, but this match failed from the first moment.

Already in the debut against Aston Villa, Saul was replaced after 45 minutes and received harsh criticism that did not change later, when the season in England ended with one goal (in the cup against Luton) in 23 games in all formats, but in the Premier League he started only five times and in the Champions League only once.

He didn't convince Thomas Tuchel either and nobody was surprised when Chelsea decided in early June to give up the purchase option in the amount of 40 million euros.

A professional argument that led to a breakup.

Saul with Diego Simeone (Photo: GettyImages, Soccrates Images)

That's how two hot potatoes rolled back into Atlético's hands - Saul and Alvaro Morata - which it wanted to get rid of as quickly as possible to free up a budget for purchases.

So far, without success.

Saul has already managed to turn down Roma and last week he was offered to Juventus, the opponent in Sunday's celebratory match at Bloomfield (9.30pm, Sport1), as a quick solution to Paul Pogba's injury.

There was even an option of another loan to Rio, in order to save at least part of the high salary (7 million euros) that burdens the club, but Saúl very much wants to stay, even after it was made clear to him that he is the substitute of the substitutes.

The Colchoneros midfield is quite loaded, with Axel Witsel joining Koke, Rodrigo de Paul and Zofra Kondogbia.

Toma Lamar is also deployed there more than once and Marcus Llorente should return to the midfield following the acquisition of right back Nahuel Molina and the return of Daniel Vas from injury.

Saul realizes that his starting point is that of a marginal player and he must reinvent himself.

After two bad years and almost three years since the last appearance in the national team's uniform, the grievances of 2020/21 no longer have a place.

He is ready to play in any position, just don't be considered a player whose time has passed already at the age of 27.

Reviews from the first moment.

Saul in a Chelsea uniform (Photo: GettyImages, OLI SCARFF)

Atlético still sees him as a financial burden, but the professional team appreciates the effort he puts in from the beginning of training and his desire to fight for his place in the squad.

The big excitement against Numancia was after he came in as a midfield substitute, moved to play on the left line and ended up in the brake position next to Witsel, following the injury of Mario Hermoso.

Simeone greatly appreciates this versatility and if an offer does not come that will convince Saul to leave, it is not impossible that he will be allowed to stay in exchange for a cut in his salary.

For all his teammates, the game in Israel is the last preparation before the start of the league.

For Saul, who already played in Bloomfield about a decade ago when Atlético beat Hapoel Tel Aviv in the group stage of the Europa League, this will probably be the last chance to convince that he deserves to start the season as an Atlético player.

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