The Saints academy graduate has broken into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first team at St Mary’s this season.
Southampton Under-23s coach Radhi Jaidi has spoken highly of Yan Valery, tipping the full-back to become one of the first team’s “leaders” but also dispensing some advice for him.
The 20-year-old joined the Saints from French club Stade Rennais in 2015 and rose through the ranks of the Premier League outfit before being handed his debut in the season just gone.
On 27 November 2018, ex-boss Mark Hughes utilised Valery in the Carabao Cup match against Leicester City and, four days later, the Frenchman made his league debut, playing the full 90 minutes of the 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
Valery has gone from strength to strength this term, making 23 appearances in the Premier League (Transfermarkt), and of all the academy stars given a run in the first team by Ralph Hasenhuttl this term, he is arguably the one who has had the most fruitful campaign.
“What Yan has is a strong character and the will to make things happen,” Jaidi told the Daily Echo. “He showed a really big improvement and is one of the main players for the first team. He can build up and be one of the leaders in the first team, but he needs to carry on working the same as some others who are training with the first team.
“They need to have that awareness of working on a daily basis. They are not first team yet and they aren’t confirmed yet. Yan should think far ahead. That’s my advice for him. The whole club, and especially the academy, is proud of what Yan has achieved this season and hopefully there is more coming.”
Valery, who has been capped at Under-17 and Under-18 level for France (Transfermarkt), signed a new contract in March this year which ties him to the St Mary’s outfit until the summer of 2023 (official website).
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