Alonso confident Chelsea did the right thing by calling Saul

Marcos Alonso has tipped Saul Niguez to make an instant impact at Chelsea. 

The European champions snapped up Saul on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid before the transfer window slammed shut last Tuesday.

He could join permanently next summer if he manages to impress Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. 

And Alonso is confident his fellow Spaniard will do just that. 

The wing-back said: "I know Saul from the national team and we also shared a manager when we were in the Real Madrid academy. 

“He’s a great player. His conditions are going to be good for the Premier League. 

"He is strong physically, he is very good in the air, and those are the things you need when you move to this league. 

"He is ready to kick on and hopefully we can take advantage of his qualities and he will be of great help to the team, because it’s going to be a long year with a lot of competitions."

Saul, 26, will have to battle it out with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic for a place in Tuchel’s starting XI.

But Alonso believes the midfielder will hit the ground running.

And the 30-year-old wants to help by teaching his new team-mate English — something he is keen to do before compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga offers.

He added: "I will do my best! If he learns from Kepa he is in a bad position!

"Saul is good fun. I know he likes animals a lot and he will be a good addition for the changing room.”