Saul Niguez has revealed that adapting to the physicality and pace of English football has been his biggest struggle since joining Chelsea.
The Spaniard arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer on a season’s loan from Atletico Madrid but has failed to establish himself in the Blues’ midfield.
Niguez has made just 13 appearances across all competitions for Thomas Tuchel’s side and is yet to score or provide an assist for the club.
However, in stark contrast, the 27-year-old was an integral part of Atletico’s title triumph last season.
In an interview with Chelsea’s official website Niguez singled out former Blues star Eden Hazard, who joined Real Madrid in 2019, as an example of another player who’s struggled to adapt to life in a different league.
“They are totally different. Over there, it’s much more tactical, whereas here it’s more physical and a bit crazier," he said.
“There’s more back and forth, it’s less about having control of the game and more about entertaining the fans. You can do things here that you really can’t do in La Liga.
“For example, I was talking to my friends the other day about Eden Hazard when he was here, he was easily one of the best players in the world and then he goes to La Liga and has his own difficulties because it’s a totally different game.
“Here he had more one-vs-ones and two-vs-ones but in La Liga, because everyone knows how good his team is and how good he is, other teams make it much more difficult for him.
"Here it’s happening a bit in reverse, although I think it’s a bit easier to adapt from La Liga to the Premier League than from the Premier League to La Liga.”
