Ralph Hasenhuttl
RALPH Hasenhuttl has given his verdict on Saints debutant Lyanco, who was subbed in the second-half, admitting: “I got what I expected to get, in some moments he showed quality, in others he showed he needs to adapt.” The 24-year-old centre-back was handed his first start on the road trip to Championship Sheffield United in the EFL Cup, but found it a tricky contest to walk into. The Brazilian has showed passion and a desire to play for Saints on social media and has cut himself a popular figure as a result, but showed that he has plenty to learn after giving the ball away under no pressure for a Blades goal, and then getting a booking later in the affair. Saints came through after a penalty shootout and will now face Chelsea in the last 16 of the competition, but with Jack Stephens’ long-term injury Hasenhuttl’s side could be stretched at the back – particularly if Lyanco isn’t quite ready yet. Speaking ahead of Wolves’ visit on Sunday,
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “It was a perfect game for him to step into the team against a Championship club. I got what I expected to get to be honest, in some moments he showed his qualities and in some he showed he needs to adapt to the game here a little bit more. This is also normal for me, in the end we know what we have signed there and we will give him all the time he needs to develop himself. He does it in every session, he’s a good lad, very good character, his English must improve a little bit more that is very important as you need to organise yourself and the players around you. The time he will get and it is important he steps up quickly, he knows that the first game was not perfect for him but yeah this is, as I always say, a long-term project.”
Lyanco signed for Saints during the summer window after the exit of Danish international Jannik Vestergaard, who moved to FA Cup winners Leicester City. The former Brazil youth international has become more accustomed to playing in a central-defensive trio over his recent career, after spending time with Torino in Italy’s Serie A.
