Former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has tipped Armel Bella-Kotchap to shine in Qatar after being called-up to Germany’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Liverpool chasing the defender.
Speaking to Bild, the recently-sacked Saints coach lauded the 20-year-old centre-back after Bella-Kotchap joined Southampton in the summer and quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting defensive talents, even with the south coast side struggling in the division.
Signed for just £9m from VfL Bochum, Bella-Kotchap already has admirers from the likes of Liverpool as per BBC Sport commentator Ian Dennis, with the Reds seemingly impressed with what they have already seen from the youngster, who this season was selected for Germany’s senior team for their September fixtures.
And now, Bella-Kotchap is heading to the World Cup. And whilst it’s unlikely that the youngster will feature heavily for Germany, there’s every chance that the Southampton youngster could get minutes off the bench should the four-time world champions need some extra defensive solidity to close out a game.
Indeed, Bella-Kotchap’s rise has been nothing short of incredible. And for Hasenhuttl, the rumoured Liverpool target has the chance to impress out in Qatar, with the Austrian coach a huge fan of the youngster’s overall game despite his tender age.
Hasenhuttl said: “He’s a monster. Very strong in one-on-one situations and he’s very fast. You can defend well with him. He plays good passes into the final third, even over longer distances. His heading game can be improved. But it was very impressive how he asserted himself in the strongest league in the world.”
Bella-Kotchap could enjoy breakout tournament at the World Cup
The World Cup has always had the potential to put players on a pedestal, and for Bella-Kotchap, the youngster will hopeful that Qatar does just that, with the defender a prime candidate to enjoy a breakout competition and to potentially win a big-money move away from Southampton already.
After all, Liverpool’s interest will likely be just the beginning for Bella-Kotchap, with the centre-back excelling to expectations in the Premier League this season having moved from Germany. And now with the World Cup days away, the centre-back could once again break even more barriers with a good showing in Qatar.
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