Saúl Ñíguez admits consistency has been an issue for him this year, cites reasons

Saúl Ñíguez admits to lacking consistency this season and says there are several reasons for this. The 22-year-old was one of Atlético Madrid’s standout players last year but has struggled for form this campaign, not unlike several other players in midfield and in the team as a whole.

Saúl scored against Las Palmas - his first league goal of 2016-17 and his third in all competitions - just before Christmas and played well against the same side on Tuesday night in the Copa del Rey. Atlético fans are certainly hoping he can recapture his form over the next five months.

"This season I have been lacking consistency," Saúl told Marca via ESPNFC. "Some games I have played well, others no. Last season I finished off playing a number of games at a high level, this year I am not getting that consistency.

"There are many reasons. I have also had injuries, I sometimes played with pain or an injection. Sometimes that makes you lose your confidence and you have to start again from zero."

Saul was a certified starter last year and has played in 13 of 16 league games this season, with three appearances coming off the bench. He's only finished seven games he’s started.

Still, the canterano is Atleti’s midfield Swiss Army knife and was recently linked with a move to Manchester United. Whehter he stays or goes (almost certainly the former), he needs to concentrate on his form and improve it, which is something that will hopefully happen in the coming weeks.