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.
Armel Bella-kotchap said: “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.”
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.
Armel Bella-kotchap added: “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.”
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.
Armel Bella-Kotchap said: “I think I’m more defensive when I play in the back four. 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. 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.
Armel Bella-Kotchap said: “It’s something different, new surroundings. 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.”
