Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has provided an update on Nathan Redmond, which could give Moussa Djenepo a huge chance to impress.
Hasenhuttl has revealed that the scans on Redmond’s injury suggest he will be out around a month, with the initial prediction having been one-two months.
Twitter: 👍 @KWPeters
👎 @NathanRedmond22Kyle Walker-Peters returns, but Nathan Redmond remains sidelined, the manager has… https://t.co/XtKWLj4SFX (@SouthamptonFC)
This is a boost in the sense that they have avoided the worst-case scenario, but they will still be without Redmond for the next four weeks or so.
Djenepo started in Redmond’s place against Villa and produced an excellent performance on the left. The winger was constantly looking to beat his man and deliver a ball into the box, which eventually proved key as he crossed for Shane Long to open the scoring.
He got to the byline and brilliantly flicked the ball towards the near post with the outside of his right foot, allowing Long to bundle the ball past Pepe Reina. Djenepo completed an incredible six dribbles and four key passes against Villa, his highest combination of the two stats all season in the Premier League.
This shows that he was able to dribble past players and open up space for himself, whilst also being able to add end product to his game. In other games this season, Djenepo has completed four or more dribbles five times – but failed to create more than two chances. This shows a level of progression in Djenepo’s game as the season has gone on, and bodes well for this stretch of games without Redmond.
The forward now has a great chance to consistently deliver impressive performances in the Premier League over the next month. If he can do that, he could possibly keep Redmond out of the team and solidify his place as a regular starter under Hasenhuttl.
