Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Ruben Selles responds to report of Salisu commitment issue #SAINTSFC

April 15, 2023
The 23-year-old has played just once in eight Premier League games under Selles before and after the recent international break. Salisu was injured in the build-up to the break but played 83 minutes versus Tottenham Hotspur before going away with Ghana and coming back with a hip abductor problem. However, a recent report elsewhere detailed that Salisu – whose current Saints contract expires next summer – has been left out of the squad due to doubts over his commitment. READ MORE: Saints team news with striker set to remain absent for huge Crystal Palace test Selles faced questions on whether the defender was being left out for this reason and responded: “He had some problems in the past for us for example in game against Chelsea. When he went to the national team he felt it again. “When he came back we had to put him into the injury process. He was expected to play today for the B team to try to solve problem but he didn’t feel great so he’s not available either.” The Spaniard added: “The injury I think is related with his hip - his adductor. There has been some problems from before. From during the season also. And it just gets worse. So they are just trying to take the therapy with that.” Probed again if he has any problem with his attitude, Selles responded: “He’s an injured player. We cannot have an issue with the attitude if he is injured, so we talk about the players that are available. “Salisu unfortunately is not available for us, so the issues for the attitude will be for the players who are with us working and trying to compete for the win.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl reveals his demands to Mohammed Salisu and the player’s positive response #SAINTSFC

October 27, 2022
As Stuart Armstrong flew into the air, fist pumping in front of a sea of joyous Saints fans, Ralph Hasenhuttl and his coaching staff embraced. This was a goal that must have meant a lot to the Austrian. Not only was it an equaliser against the league-leaders, evidence of at least a (mini) corner potentially being turned, and the byproduct of a clever tactical shift on his part. But there was an added wrinkle that would have made him smile. READ MORE: Maitland-Niles opens up on start to life at Saints With the ball at Gavin Bazunu’s feet, Mohammed Salisu pulled out to the left flank and within 15 seconds of the Ghanaian receiving his goalkeeper’s pass, it was in the back of Arsenal’s net. Salisu’s contribution didn't go ignored by Saints fans; it was his pass sent in the direction of Joe Aribo that opened Arsenal up initially. But it would have meant a bit more to Hasenhuttl and the player himself after he had been challenged to improve with the ball in the week ahead of the game. After a highly impressive start to last season, Salisu struggled alongside his entire team over the final months of a campaign that ended in a bitter taste. The centre-back looked lost and unsure of himself at times, a shell of the confident upstart who had hounded Manchester City out of St Mary’s in January. But starting fresh this time around, Salisu has continued to deliver on last season’s promise with an impressive run of form. No doubt he has been aided by the accomplished partners alongside him in Armel Bella-Kotchap and now Duje Caleta-Car but he's been the constant in this defence. Outside of Bazunu, only James Ward-Prowse has played more minutes than Salisu this season. That said, he hasn’t yet done quite enough yet to satisfy his manager. “I see him against the ball very strong and with the ball still a lot of things to improve,” Hasenhuttl told to the Daily Echo ahead of the draw with Arsenal. “And he knows this. We are always demanding a lot and I think in the past, especially with the ball, I remember when we were flying in autumn last season he played unbelievably with the ball, always calm, using his right and his left leg and he’s not on this level at the moment. "We are always very critical with him and we have to push him so that he comes back to this level." Hasenhuttl did explain that this kind of demanding criticism is not unique to Salisu - simply the challenge to all at this level. “We don’t separate anybody," he continued. "We criticise the captain like the young player who comes up. Everybody needs to take it because we don’t do it to only jump on them, we want to help them become a better player. This is very important that we are honest with them and try to tell them what is not perfect and what we want to see.” The challenge directed at Salisu is large because of his importance to the team.  The centre-back ranks second behind only James Ward-Prowse in passes per game and much of Saints' play on the ball against Arsenal started with or was heavily influenced by Salisu. He has trended slightly downward this season in virtually all passing statistics but that is likely due to Saints as a team keeping less possession (42.9% vs 47.8%)   In terms of passes per game, Salisu has dropped from 45.75 to 41.28 while his forward passes have dropped from 22.76 to 19.64. Unsurprisingly, he is also receiving fewer passes than last season - 28.91 per game to 25.57. His passing accuracy has stayed almost exactly the same though, 84.4% this season and 84.2% last. Salisu had a bit more of the ball on Sunday when he attempted 48 passes, including 25 forward passes. Regardless of the specific numbers, it was another day when a sizable portion of the onus was placed on Salisu's ability with the ball; a central tenant of how Saints play and build attacks. The most common passing link against Arsenal was Bazunu to Salisu and the third-most-frequent was Salisu to Stuart Armstrong. Only Ward-Prowse played more passes than the central defender. The passing network below from the draw shows just how involved Salisu was in possession. His #22 dot has multiple thick lines shooting off of it and passes heading to a number of different teammates all over the pitch. It's this constant role on the ball that explains Hasenhuttl's criticism of the talented defender. If Saints are going to utilise him so much in their build-up play, then he can't just be average with the ball. He has to be excellent, fueled by calmness and bravery. Fortunately, that all came together in the 65th minute at St Mary's on Sunday. Salisu received the ball from Bazunu wide on the left flank with vacant space ahead... His first touch was positive, taking him into the open space and creating the opportunity for his second touch... ...which is a pass drilled in the direction of Joe Aribo... The Nigerian intelligently dummies the ball and Salisu's pass falls perfectly to the in-stride Romain Perraud. Suddenly, with one pass out from the back, Saints are running clear at a stretched Arsenal defence. Importantly, of course, the passage ends with the ball in the back of the Gunners' net. If Saints are going to put a rough start to the season behind them and build toward Premier League survival - or more - then they will need Salisu at his very best. He's already displayed the monstrous defender he can be for this team and on Sunday he flashed his potential on the ball as well - something his coaches have challenged him to do. This is the full package Mohammed Salisu that Saints need on a weekly basis. 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
Mohammed Salisu
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Mohammed Salisu comes back from disappointments to start performing for Southampton #SAINTSFC

September 6, 2022
IT probably took an end of season slump for one of the top Saints performers to realise just how integral he is to their success. Mohammed Salisu, after a series of gaffes and nervous performances since being touted as a Manchester City and Newcastle United target, is back to his imperious best. The 23-year-old defender’s own goal, now with a full season of Premier League under his belt, was the match that lit an early blaze of concern in defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. ‘Here we go again.’ But it has not worked out that way and, despite defeat to Wolves on Saturday, Saints have seven points – all won from behind – from a tough opening six matches. Salisu, enjoying a partnership with summer signing Armel Bella-Kotchap, is the new ‘fire-fighter’ in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s defence. “We need to stay focussed, we are having a good start but we need to focus on the next game,” Salisu modestly tells the Daily Echo, rather than directly speak of his own individual performances. “We are at home (versus Brentford this weekend) but it is a tough game as well, and then we need to recover. “It is a little bit disappointing you know, we did a good game but didn’t come out with any points,” Salisu added, reflecting on the defeat to Wolves. “It is a little bit frustrating, you know, for the team. We need to focus on the next game.” Daniel Podence’s back-post conversion, in added-time of the first-half, was enough to separate the sides. That, despite Che Adams having an open goal chance in which he handballed on scoring and hitting the crossbar in back-to-back efforts. It was the third game in seven days for Saints, who had taken Manchester United all the way in defeat last weekend and come from behind to beat Chelsea on Tuesday. A number of their players – not least Romain Perraud who could barely walk by the time he was substituted after 73 minutes – looked dead on their feet from the encounters. “No, I think we were good, as you can see we had a good game,” Salisu insisted, asked if the team were tired coming into the match. “I think we are a little bit unlucky with the disallowed goal and then the crossbar from Che. I think we are unlucky. “We deserved something. We deserve some points here because the team really worked.” Wolves carved Saints open with just four passes in 12 seconds to score their goal ahead of half-time. For the final ball, Kyle Walker-Peters was nowhere to be seen at the back-post. He prepared to dart forward before Moi Elyounoussi conceded possession under the pressure of two defenders, which Hasenhuttl called out in his post-match press conference. Salisu reflected: “The rest defence is the most important and when you don’t organise the rest defence the opponent will punish you. “And then we need to speed up the game. We need to be in our positions so that the rest of the players can cover, but we sped up the game and that is the why we conceded the goal.” The result saw an otherwise positive week end on a disappointing note, following a deadline day that saw four new signings in at Staplewood Campus. Samuel Edozie and Ainsley Maitland-Niles both made their Saints debuts at Molineux, while Juan Larios was left on the bench and Duje Caleta-Car should be available as of next week. “Yeah, I think they are good lads,” Salisu said, asked on how they have settled into the group. “We had a session with them and they were really working hard, as you can see today. “I am very happy with the signings, they are really working hard and they are some good players as well.” 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 in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Mohammed Salisu addresses mistakes, ‘great’ season and contract talk #SAINTSFC

April 30, 2022
WHEN Mohammed Salisu arrived in England, he came armed with a depth of language, aggressive patience, and self-awareness – a trio enough to make negligible the defender’s other shortcomings. The Ghanaian’s form this season was as such it was easy to forget he only just turned 23-years-old, playing a position of which experience is a premium commodity. It is then easy to forgive the lapse in form that has followed in the last eight weeks. Evidence of mental strength still to be developed, but not negating ability that we have all witnessed. Salisu can be a top Premier League centre-back – still leading the charts for interceptions (74) across the division, alongside partner Jan Bednarek (65) – but will have to find it within himself to make it happen. Read more “For me, in football mistakes come. When it comes, you have to stay positive and try to believe in yourself,” Salisu told the Daily Echo. Mohammed Salisu is enjoying his first season as a Premier League star (Pic: PA) “Try to sit down and see what’s not right so you can make it better. I had a couple of bad games, I will say. But I’m still working hard to get back to my best. “I’m doing Ramadan and it’s not easy. It’s very hard at the same time playing games, I think it’s a little bit affected me. But I’m still working hard and I will get back strong.” Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl had identified at the start of the season that Salisu’s main improvements had to come on the ball. By the end of September, the Austrian was already praising Salisu for the application shown – but, as the ugly defeat to Watford in March displayed, it is still by no means a finished article. “When I started I didn’t want to make things difficult, I tried to make things simple (with the ball) and then be stronger in defence,” Salisu admitted. The 23-year-old scored an unfortunate own goal last time out (Pic: PA) “I know it’s going to come as time goes on. Everything is going to come, the confidence is going to come. So I tried to make everything easy in the first games and focus on defending.” Salisu’s decline in form, seeing him left on the bench for Arsenal and Burnley this month, has coincided with the team’s, and for all but a few supremely dependable characters, every player on that team also. Saints have picked up just one win in eight Premier League matches since the shellshock of a 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa – which injured Salisu missed. A dominant Salisu was the benchmark for the start of the run proceeding that too, with a man-of-the-match performance during the 1-1 draw versus Manchester City. Five wins and a draw in six followed, across all competitions. Mohammed Salisu's game by numbers vs. Man City:◉ Most clearances (14)◉ Most tackles made (7)◉ Most interceptions (4)◉ Most shots blocked (3)◎ 9 duels won◎ 4 ball recoveries◎ 2 aerial duels won◎ 0 x dribbled past◎ 0 fouls committedIncredible. 🧱 pic.twitter.com/dOkva7EBUv — Squawka (@Squawka) January 22, 2022 “Great, I would say great,” Salisu insisted, reflecting on his first full season as a Saints regular. “Four games left, it’s not going to be easy. 🦂👑A masterclass from Mohammed Salisu ✨ pic.twitter.com/2VFmlAcwGi — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 24, 2022 “We want to finish in a good place so we have to work hard every day and fight for every game to make sure we can. Mohammed Salisu celebrated his first goal in English football in the EFL Cup last year (Pic: PA) “It’s been nine games and we’ve only had one win. I think the fans are expecting to win this Saturday, so we’re going to give our best and fight for everything to get what we want.” Salisu, with 30 Premier League appearances, has played more league matches than any of his centre-back partners this season – Bednarek is closest, with 29. Jan Bednarek has scored four Premier League goals this campaign (Pic: PA) Until he picked up a hamstring tendon injury in September, Jack Stephens was his trusty partner in defence. Lyanco, who is still learning English, has played a bit-part role in his first season at St Mary’s. “I speak like four languages, it helps a lot,” Salisu revealed. “When I was coming to England, I speak English so I thought this was the right place for me because I can communicate with the players, I can talk with people outside. “We all know what we are doing and the manager knows what he wants. So everyone knows. When I’m with Jan, he knows exactly what he has to do, with Jack the same as well - and Lyanco, it’s just the communication but I speak a little bit of Spanish which really helps.” Salisu could have another new centre-back partner to play alongside following the summer transfer window, should Saints choose to shuffle the deck. Supporters hope the former Real Valladolid man’s individual future will be more settled. Under contract at Saints until 2024, it had been reported that situations with agents had been resolved and the club are now free to negotiate new terms. “I’m focusing on here. I’m trying to work hard, I need to focus on here now and the future is the future. It’s going to come but now I’m really focused on here,” Salisu declared, when asked about this possibility. 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 in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl speculates media circus as explanation for Mohammed Salisu form dip #SAINTSFC

April 16, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl speculated that media attention surrounding Mohammed Salisu could have contributed to the defender’s recent performances – calling it “a typical example”. The 22-year-old Ghanaian centre-back has received national plaudits following an impressive first full Premier League campaign with Saints, missing just two league matches so far. Salisu has topped defensive charts such as interceptions even up to now, with countryman Asamoah Gyan labelling him a “top three” defender in the league. However, since missing the 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa through a minor injury, the promising youngster’s game has been riddled with individual error – with Saints failing to win any match altogether. Mohammed Salisu's poor back-pass handed Watford an opening goal in March (Pic: Stuart Martin) Poor decision making at the back led to goals in both of the St Mary’s defeats to Chelsea and Watford, but Salisu is not the first Saints player to decline in performance after a media circus. Striker Armando Broja has scored just once in the Premier League since it was made public that Saints were trying to keep the loanee at the club, after scoring versus Brentford. Asked why Salisu’s performances have dropped off, Hasenhuttl responded: “Maybe since you have talked about how good he is, I don’t know. “The Man City game was where they all praised him for being fantastic and it was his last really good game he played.” Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (Pic: Richard Crease) Salisu put in a man of the match performance as Saints held champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s in January. The likes of Newcastle United were subsequently linked to the defender towards the end of the winter transfer window. “It is always difficult for you as a manager to say what is going on in the background with him and all the things, all the rumours but I think this is a typical example of how quickly you can lose the focus and drop with your performances.” He continued: “I think it’s on me - and you can be sure that I speak with him very often about that – to get his head clear, because the last performances have been far away from what he has shown this time. He is a good package normally, we all know.” Only James Ward-Prowse has played more Premier League minutes than Mohammed Salisu this season (Pic: Stuart Martin) Salisu is under contract with Saints until 2024, after arriving from Spanish side Real Valladolid in August 2020, and The Athletic report that a resolution to an agency issue has opened the door to new terms potentially being discussed when the time is right. Saints have seven matches remaining of the current campaign, though, with every position in the Premier League being worth around £2million more. Salisu is likely to start again for Hasenhuttl when Arsenal visit St Mary’s on Saturday, April 16. “At the moment we are having the issue also with Ramadan sometimes and for these players it is not so easy,” the boss added. “Some handle it better, some don’t feel so energetic so these are the issues you have as a manager with some players sometimes. “But for me it is important that he gets back to the Sali he was before these last two or three games.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl reveals Mohammed Salisu goal to emulate Virgil van Dijk #SAINTSFC

November 27, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl responded to Mohammed Salisu’s target of becoming like former Saints Virgil van Dijk saying: “He still has a way to go, but there’s no reason why he couldn’t learn it.” The Dutch former Saints centre-back has gone on to become one of the world’s most respected defenders since he signed from Celtic and moved on to Liverpool. He has won the Premier League and Champions League with current club and Saints' upcoming opponents Liverpool, as well as captaining the Netherlands’ national team. What makes van Dijk so feared is his stature, speed and rigidity paired with proficiency on the ball like that of a ball-playing midfielder. Hasenhuttl says the latter is the area in which Salisu needs to improve if he wishes to emulate the Dutchman’s skill-set. He said: “It shows you how much he (Salisu) had to learn that it took so long until he was an option for the starting XI. “Especially with the ball, he can develop massively. He did it so far. “When you speak about van Dijk with his long balls and calmness on the ball, he still has a way to go. “But there’s no reason why he couldn’t learn it. Hasenhuttl continued: “A good thing is that in the centre-back position the older you get, the better you get because of the more experience you get. “This is definitely a player that showed this season that he deserved to play from the beginning and I’m very happy with his progress.”