Ralph Hasenhuttl has explained, via Hampshire Live, that summer signing Lyanco is yet to make his Southampton bow as he and the defender are struggling with a language barrier.
Lyanco completed a move to St Mary’s in August from Torino for an initial €7.5m (£6.5m). The fee could rise a further €2.5m (£2m) through add-ons over his St Mary’s stay on a four-year contract.
The Brazilian’s switch marks the third country in the centre-half’s footballing passport. He made 53 appearances for Torino – either side of a loan with Bologna – following a 2017 transfer from Sao Paulo.
He will look to forge a successful stay in England after losing his place in the Torino line-up. Per Sky Sports, Southampton edged interest from Watford and their sister side Udinese for the 24-year-old.
Lyanco described his transfer to the Premier League and to a club like Southampton as a ‘dream’, via the Saints’ club website. But the true realisation of that dream is yet to unfold as Lyanco and Hasenhuttl struggle to communicate.
“As always, for us, new signing and long-term projects. That is what I told him,” Hasenhuttl said. “His English is not the best so far. He is learning and he has shown a real willingness to learn so far – he will learn. He is a really good character, he is a really settled person and he has a good personality. I am very happy to have him here.”
The Saints boss added: “My Italian is not that good. I try to speak to him but the football words, there are some that I do not know. He will learn English fast, and he will play a lot of games for us. He will be a good signing for the future.”
Southampton new-boy Lyanco impresses Hasenhuttl with early showings
Per Hampshire Live, Lyanco has impressed Hasenhuttl with his early showings in training at Southampton’s Staplewood base. But opportunities to put practice into action regularly at St Mary’s will likely be a while away yet.
As Hasenhuttl explains, the Saints view Lyanco as a signing for the club’s future and will be treated as such. So, the Brazil U23 and former Serbia U19 international will have to wait to realise his dream on the pitch.
Lyanco’s best chance at early action under Hasenhuttl will likely come against another red-and-white side when Southampton face Sheffield United. The Saints visit the Blades in the third-round of the Carabao Cup later this month. The south coast side have not advanced past the fourth-round since losing the 2016/17 Wembley final 3-2 to Manchester United.
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