Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted Moussa Djenepo struggled during Southampton’s 2-1 victory at Brighton and Hove Albion, speaking to Hampshire Live, but the same can’t be said of the “amazing” Jannik Vestergaard.
It’s hard to believe the £18 million Dane came so close to leaving St Mary’s earlier this year.
Because, with the possible exception of James Ward-Prowse and a fully fit Danny Ings, Vestergaard is the first name on Hasenhuttl’s team sheet these days.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach star was a regular goalscorer in the Bundesliga and, using his 6ft 6in frame to fearsome effect, he scored his third goal of 2020/21 with a soaring header in last night’s South Coast derby.
Vestergaard cancelled out Pascal Gross’s spot-kick at the Amex on the stroke of half-time before splitting the Brighton defence with a trademark, raking through ball in the build-up to Danny Ings’ late penalty winner.
It was, in short, another monstrous performance at both ends of the pitch from one of the division’s most improved players.
“With the ball he took the responsibility and, yes, he did an amazing job today,” Hasenhuttl explained after Southampton secured a hard-fought three points despite a less-than-impressive performance.
“(Passing out from the back) is how we want to play now. (It’s) maybe a little bit risky sometimes and especially today because the pitch was a bit slippery and you have to be careful not to lose the ball.
“But in modern football you need centre-backs who attack the space, if they have one, and look for the right pass. I think (Vestergaard) is a role model for a centre-back to play like this.”
While Vestergaard further established himself as one of the Premier League’s most impressive central defenders, it was a night to forget for Djenepo at Brighton.
The winger struggled to make an impact in the first-half and, after picking up a booking, was subbed off at the break for Nathan Redmond.
“It was tough for him, but he was slipping a bit on the surface,” Hasenhuttl adds of Djenepo.
“I think he was a bit unlucky, being on the yellow card, but then you have to be careful.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
