£13 million midfielder Ibrahima Diallo believes he still has a future at Southampton despite struggling for starts at the Premier League club, speaking to Nice Matin.
If his debut season at St Mary’s could best be described as ‘promising’, then his second can probably be labelled a bit of a disappointment.
Diallo, once nicknamed the new N’Golo Kante during his time in Ligue 1, has started just seven Premier League games throughout 2021/22.
Now, that is largely down to the exceptional form of captain marvel James Ward-Prowse and the criminally underrated Oriol Romeu.
Stuart Armstrong, meanwhile, has shown flashes of returning to his balletic, ball-carrying best after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
So, after falling down the pecking order under Ralph Hasenhuttl, would Diallo consider a move away from St Mary’s in the summer? Well, shirking a challenge isn’t really his style.
Does Ibrahima Diallo have a future at Southampton?
“They (Ward-Prowse and Romeu) are two experienced players. I had a lot of playing time when Romeu got injured,” explains Diallo, translated by the Daily Echo.
“Coming here, I had no guarantees (about playing time). Oriol and James have been at the club for a long time and have a strong relationship with the manager. It’s up to me to continue to fight and make my mark.
“Whatever happens, this competition has made me, and will make me, progress. I do not think about a potential departure. I am fully focused on the end of the season.
“I don’t like to project myself too much. For the moment, I am still very, very far from being able to aim higher (than Southampton).”
The Saints will to prioritise a new centre-half over the summer, with a top-quality goalkeeper also in their sights.
Southampton are reportedly keen on Red Bull Salzburg forward Chukwubuike Adamu too.
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