Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl gives his views after Saints Pre season defeat #SAINTSFC

August 8, 2021
SAINTS manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says difficult Athletic Bilbao test was “what we wanted to have.” The Spanish Super Cup holders ran out 3-1 winners despite a strike from substitute Theo Walcott immediately after the break, with goals from Mikel Vesga, Asier Villalibre and an own goal from Jan Bednarek. The first half was a flat performance from Saints but the likes of Moussa Djenepo, who seemed to have a free role operating on the left, right and often through the centre, did create some sparks. Athletic Bilbao finished 10th in La Liga last season and defeated Barcelona for that aforementioned trophy, so do represent strong opposition against a rotated Saints side. Speaking after the game, Hasenhuttl said: “Yeah it was an expected tough test in the end, what we wanted to have. “They’re a good opponent who shows us exactly what is working well and problems I think, I like a test where you see what issues you have and we can work on this for next week. “It was a good test, yeah, the first two goals we gave away a little two easy I think, the third was fantastic play. But we had some good chances to score I think.” The first goal Hasenhuttl references was conceded from a corner that barely eclipsed the front post, with Vesga rising highest to nod home, while the second goal saw right-back Yan Valery well out of position. Austrian boss Hasenhuttl will be hoping for a return to action of some of his squad for the Premier League opener next Saturday (August 14), with a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton – although the Toffees did lose 4-0 to Manchester United in a friendly today.  
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl impressed by Saints’ #TinoLivramento #SAINTSFC

August 8, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl praises instant impact from substitute and new-signing Tino Livramento, saying: “He immediately showed that he is a fantastic young player.” The 18-year-old right-wing-back was introduced at half-time and within seconds had won the ball back in midfield, drove the team forward and chipped a delightful pass into Theo Walcott to finish and halve the deficit. Although Saints’ Spanish opponents, Athletic Bilbao, ran out 3-1 winners, Livramento impressed and almost set-up Michael Obafemi to score shortly after but for a good save denying him. It was the former Chelsea youngster’s first minutes in a Saints shirt, in front of the St Mary’s faithful, and his performance has already got fans excited. Clearly, at such a young age he is by no means a finished product and will have areas of his game to work on, but Austrian boss Hasenhuttl is pleased by the early signs. Speaking after the match, he said: “Tino showed in the first minutes that he is a good lad who can help us, and with a few changes, adding more and more of the few what will be the first eleven next week (referring to his substitutions). “He immediately showed that he is a fantastic young player, it is important that we have him, good, good to see.” The result meant Saints couldn’t complete an unbeaten pre-season schedule, but will travel to Goodison Park next Saturday (August 14) to kick off their Premier League campaign. A number of Saints players including but not limited to Jannik Vestergaard, James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams watched on from the stands, with Hasenhuttl hoping to reintroduce some to bolster his squad.
Christian Purslow Aston Villa
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Aston Villa CEO shares transfer strategy after 3 signings during summer #AVFC

August 7, 2021
Please shareAston Villa Chief Executive Christian Purslow has seemingly ruled out a move for Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell, claiming that the players required to replace Jack Grealish have already been signed by the Villains.The 25-year-old secured his move to Manchester City on Thursday night, prompting an explanation from Purslow as the Villa faithful mourned the loss of their star man. “Our strategy was to break down Jack’s key attributes,” Purslow told Villa TV, “and to find these qualities in three forward players.” The 57-year-old confirmed these players to include City’s record exit Emi Buendia, who swapped yellow and green for claret and blue early this summer after expressing his desire to leave Carrow Road swiftly following promotion. “In signing Buendia, (£30million winger) Leon Bailey and (England-capped striker) Danny Ings,” Purslow continued, “we believe we have achieved this key objective, and in doing so, have also reduced an over-dependency on one brilliant footballer.” As far as whether Villa will be left depending on one brilliant footballer, City fans might have something to say following their acquisition of Buendia, but it didn’t take them long to work out quite what that meant for their own side. Recent reports had claimed that Cantwell was seen as the ideal replacement for Grealish, and would be the subject of a bid once the England international’s transfer to the English Champions was confirmed. Purslow’s comments seem to suggest, however, that no further replacement was required. An inflated price tag had awaited Dean Smith’s side given the short period of time Stuart Webber would’ve been left to replace his number 14, the Canaries reportedly holding out for up to £40million. City are closing on a deal to sign Greek international Christos Tzolis but do not see the PAOK winger as a like for like alternative to Cantwell, meaning another attacking signing would be desired, if one could be found by the August 31 transfer window deadline. There is, of course, still a possibility that Cantwell could be targeted to add depth to the Villa squad, but reports have centred around the relevance of Grealish’s transfer in the Dereham-born attacker’s future, and the end of a search for the former’s replacement seems highly likely to end interest in the latter. News of a boost to Norwich’s hopes of keeping Cantwell have come as other sources of optimism present themselves. City recently offered a €12million package for Tzolis according to the PinkUn, while American striker Josh Sargent is moving towards a switch from Werder Bremen, where he played with new signing Milot Rashica. Cantwell’s presence will help add some desperately needed depth in forward areas for Daniel Farke’s side, as they look to close the player trading period strongly. Webber has been open about the fact that he’s preparing for an uncharacteristically late flurry of business, stating that: “Sometimes the deals get a little bit better as the window goes on. As frustrating as that is, because the pair of us like it when the squad’s together early and they have that benefit of the pre-season work, sometimes the marketplace dictates that we have to be patient.” Please share
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl and #OriolRomeu provide insight to new signing #TinoLivramento #SAINTSFC

August 7, 2021
TINO Livramento is set to make his first appearance in Saints colours during Saturday's friendly against Athletic Bilbao, with boss Ralph Hasenhuttl declaring: "I am very proud the club managed to bring him in." Saints fought off reported competition from around Europe to snap up the highly-rated 18-year-old defender. He joined the club from Chelsea this week for a fee said to be in the region of £5million, having won the club's academy player of the year award last season. Livramento is yet to make a competitive senior appearance, but was twice named on the bench for Premier League fixtures with the Blues last season. And the St Mary's crowd are set to get their first chance to see the new man in action when La Liga side Bilbao head to the south coast (3pm). Discussing the club's latest recruit, Hasenhuttl said: "He has trained twice very hard after his COVID he had for two weeks, he was out. "He needs a little bit of time to come to the level others are at the moment. "We have had four very tough weeks (of pre-season) so far at a good level, so we will want to give him a chance against Bilbao, maybe for 45 or 30 minutes. I want to have a look. "But from what I have seen so far in the first sessions is he is a fantastic player for us and one of the best young players on this position in England I think, so I am very proud the club managed to bring him in. "And I don’t want to hang the expectations too high, but I think in the next five years we will have a lot of fun with him." Full-back Livramento will challenge Kyle Walker-Peters and Yan Valery for a starting berth at Saints in his preferred position of right-back, while the club also hope he can provide cover for Romain Perraud on the left side of defence. The teenager has joined in with his first training sessions this week, and new team-mate Oriol Romeu likes what he has seen so far. Asked for his first impressions of Livramento, Romeu told the Daily Echo: "A great lad. He’s a young player. But I’ve only seen one session, one exercise. From what I’ve seen from our side, a very good young lad with probably a great future ahead of him. "Happy to have him here. He is going to be a good option at the back as well. "He looks strong, he looks fit. Although he’s young, he’s got quite a physical presence so I’m sure he’s going to be a good help for us as well." Livramento is the second teenager Saints have attracted from Chelsea this summer, with centre-back Dynel Simeu also arriving to link up initially with the B team. Asked how promising it is that Saints can attract such talent from big clubs like Chelsea, Romeu added: "Yeah, probably because they’re seeing they’ve got chances and they can grow and get some proper games here. "There is nothing wrong with that, as long as they come to perform and do their thing, we’re happy, people to come and help and do a good job."
Danny ings Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #DannyIngs issues message of thanks to fans following departure from Saints #SAINTSFC

August 7, 2021
FRONTMAN Danny Ings has tonight issued a message to Saints fans via social media having this week left the club to join Aston Villa. The England international sealed a shock £30million move to the Midlands on Wednesday night, having only had one year remaining on his deal at St Mary’s. Posting on Instagram, the former Saints star said: “It has been an honour to represent my hometown club and I wanted to thank you for all the incredible support you have shown me since I walked through the door three years ago. “I hope I’ve managed to repay you with my performances on the pitch, as it was special for me and my family every time I pulled on the shirt. “Thank you. Danny” Ings leaves having scored 46 goals from 100 appearances for boyhood club Saints. He also broke back into the England squad during his time at St Mary's, scoring his first Three Lions goal in a victory over Wales at Wembley last year.
Ben White Leeds
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #BenWhite Agent lifts lid on how Brighton and Arsenal came to a consensus #ARSENALFC #BHAFC

August 6, 2021
Ben White’s agent has revealed Albion drove a hard bargain as they sold their star defender to Arsenal. The Gunners paid £50 million for White, who has had just one season of Premier League football behind him. A deal was reported to be complete by some sources some time ago – only for Albion sources, as reported by The Argus, to insist that was not yet the case. The two clubs eventually reached agreement and White’s move was confirmed last Friday. Agent Alex Levack told Sky Sports: “Maybe the biggest challenge really was agreeing a fee between the two clubs and a structure of the deal. “Brighton didn’t really want to sell and were not willing to give a valuation of the player. “With (Albion chairman) Tony Bloom being a poker player and a professional gambler, he’s a very hard man to read. PREDICTIONS ARE COMING IN FOR BRIGHTON'S 2021-22 SEASON “But I think both clubs dealt with the utmost integrity and it was pretty smooth. “And I think the outcome was best for all parties really.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl happy with ‘good test’ against Levante #SAINTSFC

August 6, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl described Wednesday night's victory over Levante as a "good test" after his side triumphed 1-0 at St Mary's. Kyle Walker-Peters scored a brilliant winner, drilling a shot across into the bottom corner for his first goal in Saints colours. It maintained Saints' unbeaten run of results in pre-season, after a behind-closed-doors draw against Fulham and comfortable victories over both Cardiff and Swansea last week. And while the main talking point of the evening was Danny Ings's £30million departure to join Aston Villa, Hasenhuttl was pleased with what he saw on the pitch against the Spanish opposition. Hasenhuttl said: "I must say it was a good test against a side that forces a little bit more than the other two (Cardiff and Swansea) we’ve had so far. "What I wanted to see was that we are still fighting for having the clean sheet. "I think our transition game was not that clinical like in the last games where we scored a little bit more often, because it was sometimes not quick. "It was a little bit too sloppy sometimes, the passes in the final third. But overall it was a good test for us. "We tried to give the players 90 minutes and on Saturday (against Athletic Bilbao) the second group comes with the 90-minute chance to show up, so that everybody has the chance to play 90 minutes in the pre-season and they should know how it feels. "For this I think it was a very good evening. We scored one goal, could score a little bit more often I think, but in the end a good test." Asked if he feels this win will help breed confidence ahead of the Premier League opener against Everton on August 14, Hasenhuttl added: "The Premier League is always something different. "You never know how good you are or how far you are. But we are really working hard to get better. "But I think getting more clean sheets is the key of getting better in the league table. I think this is what we need to do."
Danny ings Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #DannyIngs on why he left Southampton FC for Aston Villa #AVFC #SAINTSFC

August 6, 2021
DANNY Ings insists the chance to join Aston Villa was "a challenge I couldn't really shy away from" after completing his £30million move from Saints. Ings's transfer stunned football fans across the country last night, announced by the Midlands club just minutes before Saints kicked off a pre-season friendly against Levante at St Mary's Stadium. And the 29-year-old has now explained why he left the south coast for Dean Smith's side. "To be honest, I’ve been at a lot of places in my career, but this was definitely the best-kept secret really," Ings told VillaTV. "It’s been a crazy couple of days, not being able to tell my family up until it was announced. Now I’m just happy to be here and get started. "I think the club itself is a huge club, as everybody knows. You can see the direction the owner and everybody wants to take with this club. "It’s a huge club with a huge reputation and huge expectation from the fans. It was a challenge I couldn’t really shy away from and a challenge I’m looking forward to." Ings added: "I think it’s just the direction of the club and where the gaffer and everybody wants to take the club really. "It is a tough challenge. A club like this should be competing for Europe, with its history. Hopefully I can play my part in achieving that. There is definitely a lot of good times to look forward to for this football club." Villa finished 11th in the Premier League last season, 12 points and four places above Saints. They are due to visit St Mary's on November 6, and Ings hopes to quickly win the support from fans of his new club, with the Premier League set to get underway for Villa at Watford on August 14. "Everywhere that I’ve been in my career, one of the biggest things for me is to get that bond with the fans as quick as possible," said the striker. "I’ve managed to do that at every other club that I’ve been at and this is no different." Ings leaves having scored 46 goals from 100 appearances for boyhood club Saints. He also broke back into the England squad during his time at St Mary's, scoring his first Three Lions goal in a victory over Wales at Wembley last year.
Daniel Farke
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #DanielFarke impressed with #BillyGilmour at Carrow Road #NCFC #ChelseaFC

August 5, 2021
Please shareNorwich City Head Coach Daniel Farke praised his players for coming through a “tough 14 days” to thrash Gillingham 5-0 on Wednesday night, joining new signing Billy Gilmour in talking up the atmosphere on a big night at Carrow Road.“I’m quite pleased, the circumstances of the last two weeks haven’t been easy for the lads,” Farke told official club channels. “We have had a tough 14 days. We had two players back yesterday into team training, Jacob Sorensen and Angus Gunn, our two Covid-19 cases. “Also until the weekend, Dimitris Giannoulis and Max Aarons were self-isolating. They didn’t catch it but it was precautious. Today, seven players missed the game due to Covid-19 reasons. All in all, without 11 first-team players in the last days has been difficult for the mood and confidence but also on the training pitch.” The German bemoaned the impact his side’s Covid outbreak had had on preparations for the upcoming Premier League campaign, some players still isolating with just 11 days left until the big kick-off on August 14. Club captain Grant Hanley has not yet featured in pre-season and has missed three opportunities to play because of the outbreak, City’s final friendly at Newcastle is now his only chance to gain some match sharpness before the season starts. Milot Rashica, Teemu Pukki, Bali Mumba, Michael McGovern, Jordan Hugill, Przemyslaw Placheta and Onel Hernandez also missed the Gillingham game, along with long-term absentee Sam Byram. “It’s not easy for the lads who are missing, no team training for ten days is difficult. For Teemu, he was away longer after the Euros, came back and had three days with us and then is not with us for ten days. “It’s not ideal but the main thing is, the lads feel alright,” the City boss continued. Some are struggling with some symptoms, but the main thing is their safety and health. “We don’t want them to struggle for too long so we accept this situation. In the last few days, there have been no new Covid-19 cases so we’ve stopped the cycle a little bit. Hopefully, step by step, we get our players back. We have to take time to get their fitness back.” A key player who was involved, and was instrumental throughout the friendly, was Billy Gilmour. The Scot featured in front of a Carrow Road crowd for the first time on Wednesday night and was blown away by the atmosphere created by the 10,692 fans in attendance. “It was an amazing feeling,” he said. “Fans are back and honestly it was so loud. When we were scoring and the fans were celebrating, there is no better feeling. “It makes me really excited for the Liverpool game in a couple of weeks. It is a big fixture to start the season and, hopefully, we can continue our positivity into that.” Farke agreed, commending the support provided by those watching the game live, as fans congregated at Carrow Road for the first time since December 2020. “It also felt a bit special tonight with it being our first time back at Carrow Road,” he said. “It’s been our first time back for months and a first chance to celebrate a little bit our fantastic last season and the promotion. “You could feel it after the celebrations after each goal how much it meant to them and how much they have missed our feeling and spirit together. Our supporters have always been with us, even in the empty stadiums last season. For that, it’s great to be re-connected and reunited with them.” Please share
Danny ings Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl reveals he can replace #DannyIngs #SAINTSFC

August 5, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl insists Saints will look to replace Danny Ings in the transfer market, after the striker completed a £30million move to Aston Villa this evening. Ings's surprise departure from Saints was confirmed shortly before the club faced Levante in a pre-season friendly at St Mary's. Kyle Walker-Peters scored the only goal as Saints clinched a 1-0 win over the La Liga side, but all the talk post-match was dominated by the departure of Saints' star striker. Boss Hasenhuttl said: "It was not a shock for me as we are always informed about what is going on behind the scenes. "It was clear we had a player who didn’t want to sign for us anymore. I must say it is fantastic that we get a lot of money for him. He did a fantastic job for this club. He was an amazing goalscorer all this time when he was here. It is a pity that he leaves, but this is the business. "I want to say thank you for the time he played for us. "We can replace him with the money we have got." Discussing Saints' future plans in the transfer market now Ings has left the club, Hasenhuttl added: "We know that we need maybe two more players. So we must always look that we buy players a little bit cheaper and sell players a little bit more expensive. This is our business. This is how we are working here. "It (Ings money) helps us massively, definitely. But we lose also a very important striker who has scored a lot of goals, so when we want to be as successful in the offensive as in the past, we must split the goals he scored on our shoulders among the players. "Everybody needs three or four more goals and then we can maybe replace him." He added: "Hopefully we can get two or three more players in. I am sure we have to replace him, Danny Ings, this is no question. "We must have a look what striker we need, definitely. We have a few alternatives in our rows. They can definitely score goals. We have Che, we have Nathan Tella, we have Longy and Theo Walcott can play up front, Reddy can play up front and Michael Obafemi. "So we have a few alternatives. But we know that we need somebody else."
Kyle Walker Peters
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories – #KyleWalkerPeters reveals how #DeleAlli is helping him with preparation for new season #SaintsFC #THFC

August 4, 2021
KYLE Walker-Peters revealed he was feeling ready for the rigours of a new Premier League season – thanks to some intense warm-weather work alongside close pal Dele Alli. The Saints full-back had been getting himself prepared alongside his former Spurs team-mate to return to pre-season – the pair putting themselves through their paces in both Dubai and Portugal during the off season. Walker-Peters and Alli trained at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex while in Dubai and the Saints man said it was a boost to have someone on hand to spur him on. He told the Daily Echo: “I was in Dubai and Portugal with Dele. It was tough but really enjoyable as well. “We trained at NAS Centre (in Dubai) – the Crown Prince’s gym, which was nice. The facilities were great. “We just worked on our fitness, worked on a few techniques and it was great to do. “It makes a huge difference, you know? Sometimes you might wake up and not really want to do it but when you’ve got your mate next to you saying ‘come on, we’ve got to go’ or vice-versa, it does help. “Being on the pitch with your friend, there’s nothing better, so it’s a big help.” Edmonton-born Walker-Peters played just less than 30 minutes when Saints beat Cardiff City 4-0 in a friendly last week. He started and featured for an hour before being replaced by Yan Valery in Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Swansea City. Assessing the victory over the Swans, Walker-Peters said: “I thought we stuck to the task really well. “We have changed our style a bit and we are still working on it but I thought on Saturday we looked really good using that style and hopefully we kick on from here. “In my instance, there’s a few different things I need to do that the gaffer’s asked me to do. I am starting to feel more and more comfortable doing those things and I think they showed.” He added: “I feel great. During the off season I was working really hard to maintain my fitness. “I did give myself a rest but I worked really hard on bettering myself physically. I feel ready but there are two more games to go. “We are just going to keep trying to improve those tactics, keep getting sharper on the ball and hopefully go into the season really strong.” Walker-Peters is expected to feature when Saints host La Liga outfits Levante and Athletic Bilbao in pre-season friendlies this week.
Tino Livramento
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories – #TinoLivramento reveals role of #RalphHasenhuttl while signing for Southampton #SaintsFC

August 4, 2021
SAINTS’ most recent summer signing Tino Livramento has revealed that manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was highly persuasive in getting him to switch Chelsea, admitting “the passion that he shows, I just can’t wait to get started.” As with any footballing opinion, fans may vary on what they believe Austrian boss Hasenhuttl brings to the table and the future that the club holds under him – but Livramento is absolutely clear. The 18-year-old right-sided player has been with the Blues since the start of his footballing development but has followed fellow academy youngster Dynel Simeu and made the south-coast switch. Having won the academy’s Player of the Year award back in May, Livramento would be following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Mason Mount and Reece James – who have become England internationals and Champions League winners while at Chelsea. Read more Who is Saints' new signing ex-Chelsea Tino Livramento? Ralph Hasenhuttl: Tino Livramento made a very good choice Former Saint Jake Hesketh joins Eastleigh FC But Livramento has insisted he “can’t wait to get started” at Saints and has named Hasenhuttl as a driving force in his decision. He told the club: “The manager was quite a big factor as to why I wanted to come here, the passion that he shows, I just can’t wait to get started. “He wanted to tell me a lot, he wants to tell me a lot about how he wants me to come in and train, how he wants me to play, what he wants me to bring to the team. “That was really attractive to me to see him expressing those emotions. Showing how he sees me playing in a Premier League team, which is really big for me being 18 – it was a really good conversation. “You do need to be good defensively and Ralph said he sees that’s an area he can help me improve, I believe with his help that’s what I can bring to the table as well, a good defensive right-back.” When asked about what he sees in Saints as a club, he was equally complimentary. He added: “It’s a talented group but I know what I can add to it, as I say I can’t wait to get started. “They are now an established Premier League team, they’ve always been notorious for bringing through youth payers, you look at your Gareth Bale’s, Theo Walcott is obviously back at the club now. “It’s a healthy environment for me to come and grow. “I never wanted to be tied down to a huge deal and then not get a lot of first-team opportunities, I felt like this was the best place to come and test myself. If Southampton comes in for you and you’re 18, there’s not many people that would turn that down.”