Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt has been reflecting on his first season in English football.
The centre-back joined Saints for a fee of £15 million last summer from Serie A side Lazio. Hoedt signed a long-term deal at Southampton and has overseen a rather mixed campaign.
Hoedt was a favourable option for Mark Hughes following his arrival and is evidently regarded as an important player for Saints ahead of future seasons.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, the Netherlands international discussed his progress throughout the campaign and admitted that his standards slipped as the team’s performances continued to decline.
I look back with ups and downs, for sure, I think the beginning I started really good, then there was a period of more difficulty. That was normal because the club was in a difficult situation and I think we as a team finished strong and me as a person as well.
It’s difficult to carry the whole team if it’s not working and I tried my best, everyone tried their best, but you saw in the last few weeks and months we started to play better, I started to play better again.
Hoedt recently lost his place in the Netherlands squad, with Ronald Koeman opting to draft Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake in instead, and the 24-year-old will be desperate to start next season strongly to force his way back into international contention.
Southampton are likely to seek defensive signings in the recently-opened transfer window and Hoedt will undoubtedly need to step up if he is to keep his place in the starting line-up.
I think I played 32 matches in my first season so that’s good and now I have to show I can help the club go back to where it belongs.
