Ralph Hasenhüttl sings the praises of Southampton new-boy | OneFootball

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhüttl has expressed his delight with the qualities of Saints new-boy Ibrahima Diallo.

The French under-21 international only made his first start for the club against Fulham on Boxing Day but stepped in to make a remarkable performance in the 1-0 win against champions Liverpool last Monday.

Speaking about the central midfielder, Hasenhüttl said: “I think he is very professional and he is a little bit calm, but he is also aggressive.

“He doesn’t like to lose, he is definitely a winner. He knows exactly what he wants to do.

“To convince him to come here was not so easy because he really asked questions, I must say, that I haven’t had so often as a manager trying to sign a new player.

“He really wanted to know what we are about. I think everything we told him is exactly how he found it.”

The 21-year-old was a £12m signing from Ligue 1 side Brest in October but has struggled to break into the side ahead of Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse.

“The issue for him was that the team were playing so well, so it was difficult for him to step into the side.

“Although he understands this, he was not happy about it. But now is the moment he gets the chance to play.

“He knows if he shows me what he can deliver, then that is enough for me.”

Southampton’s FA Cup third round tie with Shrewsbury was postponed due to multiple COVID cases in the League One side’s squad, but they will pick up back off in the Premier League with a tough away game at Leicester City on Saturday.