Southampton Now Have Their Own Alexander-Arnold

With Russell Martin now confirmed as the brand new supervisor of Southampton, the membership can start their quest to get again to Premier League soccer.

The boss has wasted no time in including to the squad, because the Saints sealed their first signing of the summer time, Derrick Abu from Chelsea, following his latest launch from Stamford Bridge.

Who’s Derrick Abu?

The fitting-back was seen by Chelsea after representing grassroots aspect Coezer FC at a event in Spain and was scouted by the Blues at U11 degree. He then signed a scholarship with the West Londoners in 2020, earlier than signing skilled phrases in February 2021.

Then in April 2023, he went on trial with fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, scoring the successful penalty in a 5-3 shootout victory in opposition to Valencia within the Premier League Worldwide Cup semi-final. Two months in the past, it was introduced that Abu would depart the membership upon the expiration of his contract, which has allowed the south coast aspect to pounce.

Regardless of a short-lived profession with Chelsea, he nonetheless managed 37 appearances for the U18s and U21s, with seven objective contributions.

In addition to his footballing endeavours, the buzzing prodigy has additionally made a reputation for himself below the alias ‘Cho$en’ and spoken on his mentality, saying: “I’m all the time making an attempt to get my physique in the best form in addition to being ready mentally as there are a number of video games to be performed.

“The teaching crew in all of the age teams I play in have proven a number of religion in my skills and as a participant that may solely aid you to attain your objectives and the crew’s objectives.”

He has supported his hard-working mentality via an apparent technical impudence, as famous by the Day by day Echo’s Reece Barrett, who said: “Abu is an attacking-minded participant with lightning-fast acceleration and pure crossing capacity.

“Pacey, robust first contact however had his path to the primary crew blocked as a consequence of Chelsea having so many elite full-backs.

“His first-touch crossing is good for a participant of his age, and has sparked comparisons of his taking part in model to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has additionally mentioned that he has tried to mannequin his sport off of legendary La Liga full-backs Marcelo and Dani Alves.”

Alongside Abu, the returning Nathan Tella can even be an enormous increase to Southampton, after the 24-year-old loved a sensational mortgage spell at Burnley final season. With the pair each succesful pf taking part in down the right-hand aspect, it could possibly be berth of a model new and thrilling partnership at St Mary’s.

The Clarets cantered to the Championship title as Tella scored 17 objectives, together with two hat-tricks, to cement himself because the membership’s prime scorer in an exceptional season.

Vincent Kompany was one admirer, saying of the star’s high quality: “I nonetheless name him a uncooked diamond. As you possibly can see, he’s nonetheless progressing.

“He has been doing rather well and earlier than anything, I have to point out his effort. It is so vital to level that out.

“He has goalscoring capacity however many with that capacity do not put the work in for the crew however he does. He has all of the instruments and helps us in so some ways, not simply goalscoring.”

A brand new period is brewing at Saint Mary’s Stadium, which Abu and Tella could possibly be big options inside, simply ready to take the Championship by storm in a bid to achieve the Premier League once more.