#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhüttl on Moussa Djenepo’s future at Southampton with expiring contract #SAINTSFC

RALPH Hasenhuttl has assessed Moussa Djenepo’s future at Saints and admitted: “He is an instinctive footballer which makes it sometimes tougher for developing him.” Malian international Djenepo is currently away from the Saints camp as he takes on the Africa Cup of Nations with his country in Cameroon. The winger, signed from Belgium first division outfit Standard Liege in summer 2019, was manager Hasenhuttl’s first permanent acquisition after arriving as Saints boss. Although he is still only 23, Djenepo’s development at St Mary’s has seemingly taken a downturn this campaign with injury and ‘private’ issues seeing him earn just eight Premier League appearances. Moussa Djenepo has only played one Premier League match in three months (Pic: Stuart Martin) Thanks to a shocker-miss against Newcastle, Djenepo is yet to score this season and has only played 20 minutes since mid-October. “Yeah, you’re right. He has not had a so easy season so far,” Hasenhuttl said, speaking to the Daily Echo. “He had injury problems and some private problems and in the end he was, after a good pre-season, out of the squad.” Djenepo hit the target twice in 18 matches during his first season at Saints, before registering just once last campaign despite receiving increased gametime. Winger Moussa Djenepo began the season hugely in Ralph Hasenhuttl's favour (Pic: Stuart Martin) The winger’s current contract at Saints is due to expire in summer 2023 and the club have not been shy on sanctioning a deal early rather than letting a player run their contract to the very end. Hasenhuttl continued: “He showed some very good performances and had a fantastic start where he had a very good impact on the team. “Then he was almost pushed back with injuries, some muscle injuries at the time, a set-back for him. But he is fighting back, I love his positive attitude,” the Austrian added. “He is an instinctive footballer that makes it sometimes a little bit tougher for developing him because sometimes you can block him with messages with what he has to do with the ball. Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (Pic: PA) “Against the ball he had this message development of his game, but with the ball sometimes you block him a little bit with too many advices you give him. “As an instinctive footballer you live for this automatism, for his braveness around the box, but in the Premier League it is not so easy to beat a man one-against-one, the defenders are stronger. “He had to learn and he learnt, I’m not sure what his limit is but we will see.” Djenepo’s contract could see Saints take a transfer fee for him in the summer, if there is interest from elsewhere – that could likely come from a division such as French Ligue One. For now, the 23-year-old is focussed on AFCON qualification with Mali after starting both of their first two group fixtures and picking up four points. Mali are set to progress to the knockout stages at AFCON (Pic: PA Wire) Djenepo conceded a penalty for himself in the opening match versus Tunisia, for a handball, but the spot-kick was missed to preserve a 1-0 win before a 1-1 draw with The Gambia put Mali on the brink of qualification. A victory over Mauritania in their final match on Thursday, January 20, could see them top the group, where they would then compete in the knockout phases. “For now, I think it is important that he gets some games.” Hasenhuttl said. “He has not played so much in the last month so it was good for him to go there (AFCON) now. “To get some games, to play and to get some confidence. “He likes to play there, everyone likes to play for their country and it is a good opportunity for him to show up there and I’m sure he will play good.”