Kevin Danso has only just got his feet under the table at Southampton, and it’s been a hectic start to life at St Mary’s for him.
He made his debut in the unfamiliar role of left-back – he is naturally a right-sided, right-footed central defender – and kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 win away at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Danso returned to his favoured position in central defence just days later as Southampton beat Fulham 1-0 in the Carabao Cup.
However, he was shifted back to the left last Saturday against Manchester United. After a strong showing, he was sent off towards the closing stages of the match for two bookings.
The red card means that Danso will miss Southampton’s trip to Sheffield United after the international break, but this does not appear to have dampened the defender’s spirits.
With players from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad jetting off to represent their respective countries, Danso was among those who received a call-up and has been working with the Austria Under-21 squad.
The 20-year-old featured in his side’s 3-1 win over Andorra, and rather more interestingly, he netted another goal for his country – once again from the penalty spot.
Danso stepped forward from defence to take Austria’s crucial spot-kick in their 1-1 draw against Germany in the Under-21 European Championships earlier in the summer, and it appears as though he is now their first-choice penalty taker.
The strike in June was dispatched with confidence and precision after a stuttered run-up, and his goal against Andorra followed a similar pattern, as the Saints loanee calmly slotted home.
Few central defenders in the top flight are known to take penalties regularly, but Danso appears to be a more than adept option from the spot, perhaps giving Hasenhuttl something to think about.
Danny Ings, who seems to be Southampton’s first-choice penalty taker, has yet to miss from 12 yards in competitive outings for the club, but it’s hard to say that his efforts have been convincing since his move last summer.
James Ward-Prowse and Ryan Bertrand, meanwhile, have shown over the years that they are capable of handling the pressure of spot-kicks, and are dependable options should Saints be awarded a penalty.
Danso may not yet be under such consideration, but it is positive to know that he is a capable, confident player who has proven that he can convert under intense circumstances.
