Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton FC manager Ruben Selles reveals message to Kyle Walker-Peters & Armel Bella Kotchap after racist abuse #SAINTSFC

March 15, 2023
Shortly after the full-time whistle at Old Trafford, multiple racist comments were left on past Instagram posts of Kyle Walker-Peters while Armel Bella Kotchap also suffered similar online abuse. READ MORE: Selles excited by Saints togetherness 39 days after ‘difficult’ Brentford collapse Saints released a strong statement on Monday morning condemning the abuse and calling on social media companies to do more to stop the problem. And on Tuesday afternoon, speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Brentford, Selles offered his thoughts. "We realised immediately after the game that we had that situation and the club have made a strong statement everywhere, not only on social media but in the places that you need to be," he said. "This is a strong strategy and it's a good strategy and I support my club in those moments. "I think that discrimination cannot be a part of society, especially when inside our dressing room we have 16 or 17 nationalities. It is an environment of togetherness and unity from different backgrounds. "I think the policy from the Premier League during the last two or three years with their 'stop harassment' message has been really strong. But apparently, we have a still job to do. "I will continue being on the side of the people who are against discrimination and that's what we are doing and of course giving all the support to our players, to Kyle (Walker-Peters) and to Armel (Bella-Kotchap). "Nobody should get these kinds of comments. Not on social media or in any place. So I'm with my club and with my players and I'm against discrimination." The full statement from the club can be read below: "In February 2021 the club made a statement about one of our young players receiving abhorrent racial abuse following a match against Manchester United. "More than two years on, we find ourselves in the exact same position: disgusted and disappointed in the behaviour of those online who lower themselves to abusing players for the colour of their skin. "What is equally frustrating is the lack of meaningful action in those two years from the social media platforms who allow such hatred to breed and fester. "As we have said before, Southampton Football Club fights every day to remove such people from our sport and our community in order to protect our players, our staff, Southampton fans and those football supporters around the world who recognise and celebrate the diversity that makes football special. "We have forwarded the messages concerned to Hampshire Police in keeping with our normal processes when dealing with these cases. "We have also reported these posts to the social media platforms involved. "We can only hope that they finally pay attention to what continues to be a major problem and that we do not find ourselves repeating these words in another two years time."
Armel Bella-kotchap
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton star defender Armel Bella-Kotchap admits ‘we have to defend properly to get points’ #SAINTSFC

January 2, 2023
SAINTS defender Armel Bella-Kotchap admits the upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest is “huge” and called on himself and his teammates to “defend properly” to get points. The 20-year-old German international made his first appearance for Nathan Jones since going away to the World Cup with his country, in a 2-1 defeat to Fulham. The Cottagers scored both of their goals from corner kicks, including a late winner which followed Bella-Kotchap’s erroneous concession of the set-piece. It leaves Saints rock-bottom of the Premier League going into the New Year, with 21 games still to play and a January transfer window to potentially bolster their ranks. But their next test is a visit from 19th-placed Nottingham Forest, who could go four points clear of Jones’s charges with a game still in hand should they win at St Mary’s on Wednesday. “When we play good as a team and always stick together we can win this game, it is a huge one for us and we have to invest a lot more, defend properly and get points from it,” Bellap-Kotchap said. “It is disappointing to concede two goals from set-pieces and this cannot happen, the Premier League is tough and every team has the quality to bounce back. Unfortunately we didn’t get the points that we wanted and this is disappointing. "I think we defended well for the whole game but we have to be more clinical and serious when we defend our box, this is frustrating that we have not got at least one point but we have to continue.” Bella-Kotchap, in response to being asked if he believes Saints have the quality to survive, adds: “I believe in my squad, I am not with my head down and hopefully we will get this. I’m sure we can.” Saints have lost all three matches under new boss Jones, including two this side of the World Cup break following the Boxing Day hammering by Brighton & Hove Albion. Bella-Kotchap agrees with the manager’s suggestion that the Fulham performance, which also saw a last-minute penalty save from Gavin Bazunu, was much improved. “I think we played better, the gameplan for the first-half was what we thought and we improved after the second-half as well," he said. "We played front-footed and this is the way we can play, we showed that often but we have to get points. It was a good fighting spirit but now we have to get points, we have to defend properly and if we do we will get points. “We look at it game for game and we do not have much time to think about it; the next game comes and we will give everything to win and see what happens.” Jones is still looking to settle on his best XI and has experimented with a number of different formations and personnel, including 18 different starters in the three matches. Bella-Kotchap is one of those moved around to facilitate the changes, with regular switching between a back four and a back five – but he insists he is happy with either. “I don’t really mind when the coach says we’re playing a back three or back four, regardless of where I play I always try to give my best for the team and we have to be successful in the next couple of weeks,” the youngster said.  A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl reveals doubt on surgery for player Armel Bella-Kotchap #SAINTSFC

October 22, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl admits it would be "more risky" for Armel Bella-Kotchap to return from injury without undergoing surgery, but insisted: "That is doable." The German central defender missed Wednesday's win over Bournemouth and will not feature against Arsenal this weekend, after dislocating his shoulder during last weekend's draw at West Ham. The 20-year-old has various options in his injury recovery, with the chances of dislocating his shoulder again in the future heightened if there is no surgery now to treat the injury. Speaking earlier this week about Bella-Kotchap, Hasenhuttl said: "It is not so sure which direction we will go with him, if he will need surgery or if he does it without. “I think he wants to try it without and mobilising the shoulder and then coming back maybe, I don't know in two weeks, or three weeks. “Otherwise it would take longer. This is definitely a loss for us and long-term injuries are not the best for a team who are looking for results." Asked today if a decision has been made on if Bella-Kotchap will go under the knife and if it would be a gamble of the injury reoccurring in the future should he not, Hasenhuttl said: "You're right, it can always happen again, when you don't have the surgery. "There is definitely damage in the shoulder, but he is a very strong guy. "You can do a lot with strengthening the muscles up there. It is maybe a more risky version to do it like this, but also a version that is doable." A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss hopes new signings can adopt to Premier League intensity quickly #SAINTSFC

October 19, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl insists luck is “not a parameter” he works with in management but, by any estimation, he has been left short of it this year. Wherever you attribute the blame for a poor run of form resulting in just three wins in 21 Premier League matches, Saints could do without a few things. Armel Bella-Kotchap, the third young player at the height of form to be struck with a serious injury since April, now faces a spell on the sidelines. He joins Tino Livramento, 19, and Romeo Lavia, 18, in the treatment room, both of whom Hasenhuttl is still waiting on to return. I guess it is rather lucky Saints were able to secure the deadline day signing of experienced centre-back Duje Caleta-Car. Caleta-Car signed from Marseille on deadline day (Pic: Stuart Martin) (Image: Stuart Martin) “I still think you can feel that Duje didn’t really play for a long time, not playing much at the end of last season,” Hasenhuttl said, though, ahead of the trip to AFC Bournemouth. “You can feel he is lacking the rhythm a little or the confidence, and this is what we are trying to build up with him. “It’s important for him to show up with the ball and with his aerial qualities. He’s definitely a player we are hoping can replace Armel very well.” Replacing Bella-Kotchap, although just 20 years old and in his debut Premier League season, will not be easy. Caleta-Car is set for just a second Premier League start, after he stood in for Mohammed Salisu during the defeat to Everton following his Ghana involvement. “When you step in a new league and you see the intensity that is there, it is something impressive,” Hasenhuttl admitted.  “Not for every player maybe, but it is impressive when you see the intensity because it is different. The referees let the game run more, more duels are allowed and it is a different, wonderful league I must say. “When you watch the games on the weekend you are like ‘wow, this is massive’. This is something some players need longer to adapt to. It’s on us to help him to do it quick.” Hasenhuttl will not have wanted the 26-year-old, who has more than 300 professional appearances under his belt already, to be thrust into such a big role immediately. Hasenhuttl is looking to end a run of five without victory (Pic: Stuart Martin) After Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham, the Austrian called for Caleta-Car to show his experience and be more vocal in the organisation of the backline. “But he was an important signing for sure,” he told the Daily Echo. “I hope to have Armel back as soon as possible, though.” Hasenhuttl confirmed Bella-Kotchap will be out for at least two or three weeks – and that is if he does not require surgery for his dislocated shoulder. The young German international wants to go to the World Cup, and Hasenhuttl says that could be an important motivation for his recovery. “He wants to go there so he will do everything possible to maybe not get the surgery and take the pain,” he speculated. “I know the risk is there, this injury can happen again if not fully fixed. This means it is not that easy to say ‘I’ll take some painkillers and go’. “We have to be careful and especially if you’re in a position like him where you have duels all the time. Bella-Kotchap was injured on Sunday (Pic: Stuart Martin) “You need arms and everything to work with, but I am positive as he is a guy who wants to fight for everything and wants to go for it.” The Bella-Kotchap situation adds to an already extensive list of issues for Hasenhuttl to deal with, in what could be a decisive few weeks of his almost four-year-long tenure. Saints are already reeling in front of goal after the club failed to secure a striker, which Hasenhuttl had been open about wanting for over a month leading up to deadline day. But Hasenhuttl denies the suggestion he has been on the wrong end of a bit of misfortune since their impressive winter run ended in March. “I had one time a manager who said ‘always lucky is quality and always unlucky is not good enough”, he said, with a smile. “I don’t take this is a parameter, you try to work your best and to find answers for all the issues. We don’t have an easy job sometimes. “When you are flying you don’t need a manager and we had this sometimes here, but when it is harder they need you even more. This is the job and if you want to do this here, you have to know what you get.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Armel Bella-kotchap
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Bella-Kotchap given reason to enjoy Premier League move despite bench role #SAINTSFC

August 23, 2022
GIVEN his prominence during pre-season, even Armel Bella-Kotchap himself would have been surprised to see his name left off the teamsheet on the opening day. The 20-year-old German youth international instead found himself benched in favour of Yan Valery, who did have a strong run coming into August. Signed from Bundesliga side VfL Bochum this summer for a fee over £8million, he was not necessarily guaranteed a starting role – given the initial management of Mohammed Salisu. In truth, Bella-Kotchap had struggled during the pre-season defeat to Villarreal and that likely made up some of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s decision-making two weeks ago. “I’m not complaining, I accept the decisions of the coach and when I play I want to do my best, give 100 per cent for the team and days like Saturday makes it all great,” Bella-Kotchap told the Daily Echo. Now, after marshalling veteran Premier League striker Jamie Vardy to just 11 touches in 65 minutes along the way to a first victory of the league season at King Power Stadium, he looks a shoo-in. “It’s a really nice great feeling. I think it was a real team effort, we believed and I’m happy. We have a great team spirit and we have to keep going and continue winning games like this,” he added. Hasenhuttl initially employed the new five-at-the-back for all seven, pre-season and Premier League, matches ahead of the visit to Leicester City. It meant Saturday was Bella-Kotchap’s first test in a four-man defence, with some suggesting his tendency to bomb forward and launch an already trademark diagonal pass meaning he was better protected in a five. But Saints produced their strongest defensive display with Jan Bednarek dropping out of the backline, and more responsibility landed on the shoulders of Bella-Kotchap and Salisu. The young pairing – just 20 and 23 years old respectively – relished the increased pressure, Salisu the standout playing a ‘firefighting’ role. “I think I’m more defensive when I play in the back four,” Bella-Kotchap pondered. “In the back three I have opportunity to go forward but both suit me well. “I don’t complain and I accept the decision of the coach and try to give my best every day. The Premier League is an intensive league and every week you have top strikers, so you have to be alive the whole 90 or 96 minutes.” He added: “We (Salisu) try to help each other, on the field and off the field. I think we have a good relationship, we keep going and try to help the team.” Saints supporters were surprised when Bella-Kotchap’s transfer emerged from seemingly nowhere, pictured with the kit at Staplewood Campus almost before anyone had caught wind. It is a promising start to the youngster’s Premier League career, having played just 22 matches of top-flight action altogether while in his homeland. Bella-Kotchap had been at VfL Bochum since 2017, when he was still a schoolboy. As well as a step up in footballing exposure, the quiet defender has had to uproot his whole life to come to England. “It’s something different, new surroundings,” he admitted. “A new country but I think the guys make it easy to settle in. “I’m here, I’m glad I’ve come and I try to give my best every day to be the best player and person I can.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook