Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed matchwinner Moussa Djenepo was carrying a minor injury in Southampton’s win over Sheffield United on Saturday. Saints boss Hasenhuttl has been impressed with the £15million summer signing who has already made a big impact in England, scoring twice in three appearances following his move from Standard Liege.
He followed up his goal against Brighton last month with the crucial strike against the Blades last weekend and looks like the sort of player who can make a real difference in the final third in tight games.
Hasenhuttl has revealed he was actually carrying a minor knock at Bramall Lane so his performance and goal was all the more impressive, with the Saints boss conceding it was a “risk” to select him at all. “He had a muscle injury and it was a risk at Sheffield United to let him play, that’s for sure, but this guy wanted to play and he said he was okay and he showed it and if a player wants to play you should let him do,” Hasenhuttl said.
Despite his fast start to life in the Premier League, the manager also knows the 21-year-old, who hit 12 goals in 61 games for Liege, has plenty to learn as he adapts to his new surroundings and the Saints coaching staff are continuing to work hard with him in training.
He added in the Daily Echo: “We are putting the instruction into him. He must learn a lot against the ball. We have worked very hard with him so far. He showed he wants to learn and that is the most important thing.”
Djenepo, provided he is passed fit, will hope to feature on Friday in the south-coast derby against Bournemouth as Hasenhuttl’s side, who are 10th in the table, look to extend their unbeaten run to four games.
