Dynel Simeu
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton player Dynel Simeu dreams of playing for Saints after loan to Carlisle United #SAINTSFC

January 29, 2022
AMBITIOUS Dynel Simeu is hoping his loan spell with Carlisle United can help him achieve his dream of playing for Saints – with the defender also wanting to help others achieve dreams of their own. Born in Cameroon, Simeu moved to England at the age of three, with his family settling in Southampton. After playing for multiple clubs at youth level in the area, Simeu was spotted by Chelsea, where he would go on to spend six years before joining Saints last summer. In the weeks leading up to his loan move to League Two, Simeu had been involved in numerous matchday squads and the first team bubble, but did not make his debut for the south coast club. Undeterred, the 19-year-old is now aiming to impress at Carlisle in order to kick-start his senior football career. Speaking to the News and Star, Simeu said: “My short term dreams first of all are to play for Southampton. “I really want to play for Southampton, I want to make my debut, hopefully be a part of the club. “I want to have a good career at the top-flight. I want to play a few hundred games. “I don’t know what’s in store for me, but I want to make sure I reach my peak, I want to win trophies, be part of the team as a main player – and I want to help my family.” Before all of that can come, the England youth international is keen to knuckle down at Carlisle. “I want to embrace the culture and team, want to be one of them, want to do everything they do,” Simeu continued. “At the moment I’m a Carlisle player and I’m ready to play with them. “I think it will be different to what I’ve done before. I just think I’ll enjoy it. I’m ready. “I want to make the most of it, make sure I make the most out of this opportunity.” Simeu was one of three Chelsea youngsters that made the move south this summer, with the centre-half having a personal connection to the area. “I’d say when Southampton came up I took it as a great opportunity,” stated Simeu. “Even though I’d never played for them, Southampton itself is close to my heart. “It’s a place which means a lot to me. I went to school there, got scouted from there, and the city’s done a lot for me. “I want to give my all to Southampton. The fans have been great, I get messages daily from fans, [I often] get spotted. “It’s a team that’s supported by the community. “I’ve been back to my school and it’s great seeing the kids, because they have a real belief. “I want to be someone they can look up to, someone who can make them believe and show them there’s a pathway. I want to help my friends fulfil their dreams.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl hints at Simeu and Small Southampton chance soon #SAINTSFC

December 30, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl hinted that youngsters Dynel Simeu and Thierry Small could “sooner or later, get a chance,” after they made Saints’ matchday squad versus Tottenham. Simeu, 19, who signed from Chelsea’s academy in the summer is yet to make his senior debut in football but has been on the bench for each of the last two Premier League matches. The strong centre-back has been impressive in David Horseman’s B team in Premier League 2 this campaign.  Meanwhile, 17-year-old left-back Small – who was born in August 2004 – had already made his senior bow for Everton, after he was given an FA Cup debut by Carlo Ancelotti last season. Read more And with Swansea City away coming up soon in the FA Cup, Hasenhuttl kept his cards close to his chest but has hinted that he may afford the two teenagers a first-team chance soon. Saints' Dynel Simeu has featured in each of the last two matchday squads (Pic: Stuart Martin) Asked if he was impressed with the pair as an addition to their matchday squad, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “Absolutely. “We need every player at the moment so they are training with us all the time now.” “It can happen that we, sooner or later, get a chance for them. This is what we need.” He continued: “For some players, it (the FA Cup) is a good opportunity I think to make first steps in the team and we will have a look.” Thierry Small (left) made his senior debut aged 16 in the FA Cup (Pic: PA) Both Small and Simeu have scored their first goals in Saints colours in Premier League 2, displaying their usefulness at both ends of the pitch. Small netted two similar finishes in the demolitions of Aston Villa and Newcastle, while Simeu scored his first in the latter and showed proficiency with his head to finish Caleb Watts’ cross in the defeat at Sunderland. Ex-Blues man Simeu is also actually a Southampton local, having been raised in SO14.
Dynel Simeu
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Dynel Simeu reflects on scoring first goal for Southampton #SAINTSFC

November 8, 2021
DYNEL Simeu has reflected on a “great feeling” to open his goalscoring account since arriving at Saints in the summer window, when he netted in a B team victory over Newcastle. The young Saints defeated the Magpies 5-0 at the weekend with Simeu getting on the scoresheet alongside Thierry Small, Lewis Payne and a Kazeem Olaigbe brace. It meant a fourth successive victory in Premier League 2 for David Horseman’s side, having not won any game in all competitions since February before the winning run. And asked if it felt better to notch his first for Saints or to keep another clean sheet, Simeu told the club website: “Bit of both, but probably the clean sheet. Read more “I think that’s the fourth on the trot, if were solid at the back it gives the team a real chance of winning and then hopefully can give the team momentum. Happy to get my first goal for this club! 🔴⚪️4 clean sheets in a row! ✅Let’s keep building 💪🏾Glory to God always 🙏🏾 @SouthamptonFC pic.twitter.com/PTAFRD3NLy — Dynel Simeu (@dynel_simeu) November 5, 2021 “The wins have come off the back of a clean sheet, if you concede (too many) you can’t win. We’ve got a good, solid back five including Lew (Lewis Payne) there.” He added: “But a goal is a goal, if you don’t shoot you don’t score, it feels great to finally open my account for Southampton, hopefully there’s many more.” Much of Saints B’s woes came from being forced to name teams with under-18 players due to squad depth and injury concerns. However, in recent weeks the likes of Small, Will Smallbone, Yan Valery and Nathan Tella have all made B team contributions and their turnaround in form has been stark. Simeu thinks the time to gel and added experience has helped settle the younger lads into “important” squad members. “I think they’ve been brilliant,” he said, “it took a while to get going but the performances were there. “Obviously when younger lads step up you’re not going to get the end result straight away, but they’ve got the energy and they’re willing to learn and I think they’ve become quality players now. “Everyone is as important as each other.”
Dynel Simeu
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #DynelSimeu wants to ‘hit the ground running’ at Saints #SAINTSFC

July 29, 2021
NEW recruit Dynel Simeu is keen to "push towards the first team" after completing his switch from Chelsea. The 19-year-old's arrival at Saints was confirmed this morning, signing a three-year deal after he departed Chelsea earlier in the week. Simeu will initially go into the B team set-up under Dave Horseman. But the teenager, who originally hails from Southampton, has his eyes on a spot in Ralph Hasenhuttl's side. Speaking about the transfer, Simeu told the Saints website: “I feel glad, finally, that the move was made possible. I'm just excited to get started. “It's nice to be back home, I've had a really friendly welcome. I feel comfortable that I'm home with my family, so I'm excited. “I hope to hit the ground running, get fit and comfortable with the boys and then hopefully push towards the first-team.”