Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton FC manager hints at more contract extensions after Djenepo deal #SAINTSFC

September 16, 2022
SAINTS manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says discussions are "always" ongoing with the players the club is hoping to keep after Moussa Djenepo signed a new three-year contract at St Mary’s this week. A busy summer transfer window saw ten new faces arrive at the club - with Mateusz Lis since departing on loan - while numerous first team regulars and fringe assets including Fraser Forster, Shane Long, Yan Valery, Jan Bednarek, and Jack Stephens all departed. One player that somewhat surprisingly stayed was Djenepo. After making zero Premier League starts in 2022, the club were reportedly willing to listen to offers for the winger. But when pre-season came around and no move away materialised, Djenepo quickly worked his way back into Hasenhuttl’s plans. Deputising for the injured Romain Perraud, Djenepo started Saints’ first four games of the Premier League season and with his previous deal set to expire this coming summer, the 24-year-old has been handed a new three-year contract. Ohhhh Moussa Djenepo 🎶#SaintsFC is delighted to announce @MoussaDjenepo2 has signed a new three-year deal ✍️ — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 14, 2022 According to his manager, he may not be the last with conversations ongoing for others the club is hoping to hold on to. “Yes, never stop doing this,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo when asked about contract discussions with other players in his squad.  “We must always be in touch with the players you want to have in your club and want to stay in your club. I think it’s important that we show the way we want to go and they show their commitment.” Moi Elyounoussi, Theo Walcott, and Willy Caballero are the only other members of the Saints squad who are into the final 12 months of their current deals while Mohammed Salisu, Ibrahima Diallo, Che Adams, and Stuart Armstrong all have two years remaining. It remains to be seen who specifically the club is looking to tie down, but Hasenhuttl feels Djenepo's case can be seen as a "role model" for others about the attitude required regardless of their role in the squad. “We had a lot of players in the past not always playing but being very important to this club. I think this is another role model if you want.  “This season I think Moussa showed he can also play in the left-back position as a very good player. Now we have Juan (Larios) so it will not happen that often that he has to play there again.  “So we can use him up front where his natural position is left or right. He needs to score goals, he needs to show his qualities in one against ones. He has these qualities but these qualities can still be developed.” 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 take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton confirm extension of Moussa Djenepo’s contract #SAINTSFC

September 15, 2022
MOUSSA Djenepo has penned a new three-year deal to remain at St Mary's, before praising the club for showing "trust in me". The Malian international first arrived in England from Belgian club Standard Liege in 2019, signing an initial four-year deal that was set to expire at the conclusion of this campaign. A versatile player, Djenepo has been deployed in a variety of positions whilst on the south coast, including in the unfamiliar left wing-back role at the start of this campaign. With his deal expiring next summer, Saints have moved to retain their winger who has made 74 appearances in red and white, scoring four goals. The club have confirmed his new deal will keep the 29-time Mali international at Saints until the summer of 2025. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl told Saints' website: “Moussa is a very popular player in the dressing room and we are very happy he has decided to stay with us. “He is a fantastic character who works hard to improve his game and always puts the team first, as we have seen with the number of different positions he has played for the club over many years.” Moussa Djenepo shared: “I’m happy. "I’m happy because it is proof of the club’s trust in me, so I say thank you for everything. “It’s the team I want to grow up with and learn more, and I will give my best to do everything for the club.”
Scott Parker Fulham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Scott Parker shares delight after Norwich City cup win, transfer business and David Brooks contract signing #AFCB

August 22, 2022
BOSS Scott Parker is hoping players with Premier League experience can be added to his Cherries squad by the end of the transfer window, insisting: "Everyone is trying everything they can to try and strengthen us." Cherries fell to a second humbling defeat in as many weeks on Saturday, crashing to a resounding 3-0 home loss against Arsenal, having been beaten 4-0 at Manchester City seven days earlier. Parker's men currently sit 14th in the embryonic Premier League table, picking up three points from an opening-day win over Aston Villa. They are set to drop to 15th tonight, once the third round of matches have been completed. Speaking after the loss to Arsenal, Parker slammed his squad's first-half performance, in which they conceded twice in the opening 11 minutes. He said: "In terms of our general endeavour, our body language, our humility to accept certain situations, I thought we were just easily disappointed. Our general demeanour was pretty poor really and I was disappointed immensely with that." Asked if he felt any of that could be put down to his squad lacking in Premier League experience, and perhaps some players being overawed by the occasion, boss Parker told the Daily Echo: "Maybe, it could be. "I think you’re right to maybe say that. "This is a young team. There’s a lot of young players out there, players that have probably not experienced the level and the quality that they’re going to be facing. "That’s my job to obviously let them understand that that’s part and parcel of the Premier League. "Many a bigger team than us have faced what they faced (on Saturday) and Arsenal have done that to them. But we need to understand that and keep going in those situations really." Cherries have so far this summer recruited five players, but only one of those arrived having played in the Premier League before, in injured full-back Ryan Fredericks. Asked if he would like to bring in some more players with Premier League experience before the transfer window slams shut on September 1, or if it is hard for the club to get deals over the line for players within that sort of bracket, Parker added: "Hopefully that can be the case, for us to evolve as a football club. "When you get promoted, the expectation of getting promoted and the levels of what you’re going into, to evolve and to improve is certainly something that hopefully we can do with obviously getting promoted. "There’s 10 days left and everyone is trying everything they can to try and strengthen us and try and move the squad on in that sense."
Mohamed Elyounoussi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl confirms Mohammed Elyounoussi planning to remain with Southampton on long term #SAINTSFC

July 7, 2022
SAINTS attacker Mohamed Elyounoussi is closing in on a new “long-term” contract to keep him at Southampton for the foreseeable future, sources have told the Daily Echo. The Norwegian international has just 12 months left on his current deal but talks between his representatives and the club have ramped up in recent weeks and both sides are understood to be confident a positive resolution will arrive soon.  It is believed the contract will be for three to four years, with the exact length one of the details that still needs finalising.  READ MORE: What Saints fans can expect from wonderkid Romeo Lavia There is confidence on all sides though that it is just a matter of time before the extension is sealed. It’s understood that Southampton see Elyounoussi as a crucial member of Ralph Hasenhuttl's squad while the player himself feels valued and would like to continue his career on the South Coast.  Elyounoussi joined Southampton in the summer of 2018 for a fee of around £16m but he made just 16 league appearances in his maiden campaign before departing for Celtic on loan. Flashes of his talent in Scotland saw that temporary stay extended for another year before the 27-year-old returned to St Mary’s last summer. After sitting on the bench for the first two games of the season, Elyounoussi started in the third at Newcastle and became a near ever-present in Hasenhuttl's side after that. He ended the campaign with 33 appearances in all competitions, including 16 in his side’s final 17 matches. Elyounoussi in action for Saints this season. Image by: Stuart Martin Four goals and two assists is not the most enthralling return from all those minutes but it’s clear Hasenhuttl sees Elyounoussi as a crucial component of his squad. A hard-worker and capable of moving inside when Saints’ marauding full-backs fly up the wing, the Moroccan-born forward should continue to have a sizable role heading into the new season. “I think this loan time definitely helped him to make the next step in his development,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo in February. “It was important for him to get game time there (at Celtic) – it was always a problem here in the beginning. “It is always tough when you are coming into a new team, then the team is not performing well and you are a little bit under the radar and don’t get a chance to play a lot. “So, I think he needed this time and we were always following him, looking how he developed his game and it was for me, in the summer, a very clear decision to say ‘I want him back in this team’. READ MORE: No Saints bid for Broja despite reports “Immediately in the pre-season I saw he could give me a lot, what I want to have in this position. He is a smart player, he can score goals, he is running a lot, covers a lot of distance and is disciplined in the defence. “He is a quick learner and he learned to be more resilient in the Premier League. This is what you have to be, because it’s tough – it is physically a tough league. When you learn to do this, then the package is a good one and I think meanwhile, he showed he is a good package.” "I've always said I thrive in Southampton, it's a fantastic club,” Elyounoussi told Norwegian outlet TV2 last month.  “The family thrives well. We'll see what we land on.” Set to turn 28 before the start of the 2022/23 season, a three/four year contract would keep Elyounoussi at the club past his 30th birthday.  Recently on international duty with Norway, Elyounoussi joined his Saints teammates at Staplewood this week for pre-season preperations ahead of their upcoming trip to Austria. With just under a month until Southampton travel to North London to face Tottenham in the opening game of the season, the club have been busy reinforcing the squad that limped to the finish line last spring. Thus far Gavin Bazunu, Mateusz Lis, Armel Bela-Kotchap and Romeo Lavia have signed while a deal for Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo is believed to be close. Moussa Djenepo, Theo Walcott and Nathan Redmond could all still depart should suitable permanent or loan moves be found but Elyounoussi is set to stay with a new deal reinforcing his and the club's commitment to each other. 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 take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
#PLStories- Southampton goalkeeper Willy Caballero signs new one-year contract #SAINTSFC
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton goalkeeper Willy Caballero signs new one-year contract #SAINTSFC

July 2, 2022
SAINTS goalkeeper Willy Caballero has signed a one-year extension to remain with the club for the upcoming 2022-23 season.  The former Chelsea and Manchester City stopper turns 41 in September, but will likely act as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s third or fourth choice.  Alex McCarthy and summer signing Gavin Bazunu will tussle for the number one shirt, while Caballero acts as back-up and offers his experience and mentality to the group.  He will continue to work alongside goalkeeping coach Andrew Sparkes, who is part of a seven-man coaching including manager Hasenhuttl. On signing his deal, Caballero said: "The feeling is to be ambitious, to be part of this team, to create a really great atmosphere here, to convince myself and to convince the players that we can do something together – something nice, something big. “If I am thinking just that I can help them grow, it would be a comfortable situation. But I am here to compete with everyone, as I have done in the past and as I have done from the first day, because that is my way to train and feel football.” Mateusz Lis, who also arrived at St Mary’s this summer, could potentially go out on loan – acting as a ready-made replacement for Caballero at the end of next campaign.  Caballero signed for Saints initially as emergency cover while both McCarthy and new Tottenham Hotspur keeper Fraser Forster were unavailable for Hasenhuttl in December.  The Argentine impressed during his one-month stint, and earned a contract to the end of the season. Saints then revealed, in the retained list, that negotiations were under way for another new Caballero deal.  After confirming his stay, Hasenhuttl added: “Willy proved to be a valuable addition to our goalkeeper group last season, both on the pitch in the matches that he played and on the training ground, where his experience is massive for us and the other goalkeepers. “He is an amazing guy who brings a lot of personality to the dressing room, and we are very happy he has decided to stay with us for another year.” 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 take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Jay Rodriguez Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley forward Jay Rodriguez signs new two-year deal at Turf Moor #BURNLEYFC

May 4, 2022
Rodriguez came through the Clarets' youth ranks and rejoined the club in the summer of 2019. The 32-year-old has scored seven goals this season including an important equaliser against Manchester United. “A big thing that’s stood out for me since I’ve been here is the togetherness of the group and how we work for each other," he told the club's website. "We’re all humble and down to earth. You look at the squad and you know you’re going to work extremely hard. “Togetherness is definitely something you notice with the Burnley fans - they are always with you. "They can see you working hard on the pitch, and they’ll be behind you no matter what. “I’ve made many memories so far and hopefully I can make some more soon. "You’ve always got to keep improving in football and make as many memories as you can.” Rodriguez says signing a new deal was "a no brainer" and is excited for the future.  He added: “The club means a lot to me. Having grown up in the area, it is always a pleasure and a privilege to represent Burnley. "So when the club offered the contract, it was a no brainer for me. I couldn’t wait to sign it. “To play for Burnley being a Burnley lad is extra special. To see where the club has come and where it’s at now, I just wanted to be a part of that and I can’t wait for the next chapter at the club.” Clarets on social, plus take out a subscription... Keep up to date with our Burnley coverage on social media by joining us on Facebook and Twitter Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription Or if you want the Telegraph newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl’s message to players chasing new Saints contracts #SAINTSFC

April 20, 2022
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl insists "it's never too late" for his players to prove they deserve a new contract at Saints. The club have a handful of players currently set to leave the club this summer, with some first-team players also about to enter the final year of their deals. Goalkeeping trio Fraser Forster, Willy Caballero and Harry Lewis, along with veteran striker Shane Long, are all due to become free agents in less than three months team. Meanwhile, it is understood Theo Walcott, Nathan Redmond, Oriol Romeu, Moussa Djenepo, Yan Valery are among those who see their deals expire in the summer of 2023. Asked today if Saints were considering offering in-form Forster a new deal, Hasenhuttl said: “Absolutely. “There are a lot of arguments for doing this, and I am sure we will find with him a very good solution for the future. “As I said, I was very happy with he way he reacted when he got the chance to play. “I think he absolutely grabbed the chance with all his effort. A very good argument for him, definitely.” And quizzed by the Daily Echo if most decisions on expiring contracts had already been made, or if that could depend on how the final six games of the season go, Hasenhuttl added: "Decisions in the way that you extend or whatever will be taken very often at the end of the season. "But we have our plan and we have our views about the players. But as always, things can change even in the last two weeks. "They can change and suddenly you think ‘okay, maybe we go again with him'. "It’s important for the players to see that it’s never too late to show up and you are never safe even if you had a good season. "So you should always try to perform to the highest possible level, it helps definitely and gives you good arguments."
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss responds to question on Fraser Forster future #SAINSTFC

April 16, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl has reiterated there is “nothing that we could announce” on the future of Fraser Forster, as his contract runs down into its final months. The 34-year-old goalkeeper has re-emerged as the Saints number one since Alex McCarthy’s injury back in December, but as it stands is still set to leave the club at the end of June. Forster has made 19 appearances in all competitions this campaign, including 14 in the Premier League – and is approaching nearly eight years since arriving at St Mary’s. The Hexham-born former Newcastle United product even resurrected an unlikely England career with a shock call-up as emergency cover by manager Gareth Southgate. However, there is still nothing more the club can reveal on his future, “nothing that we should announce or could announce,” Hasenhuttl insisted, anyway. “You can be sure that as soon as we have something to announce we will tell you first,” he added. “He grabbed his chance with all you could do and if you want to pick last weekend, the one player who was nearly on his best performance level was Fraser. “It’s not so easy after this long break that he never played that he has such an intense time now but I think he handled it quite well and definitely he is a player who did a very good job this season.”