Yan Valery’s potential beginning to shine through at Southampton

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Southampton find themselves just two points above the relegation places in the Premier League, but there is enough talent around St Mary’s to get them out of trouble.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has helped several players since his mid-season appointment as manager and young defender Yan Valery has blossomed under his tenure.

The 20-year-old has gone from unknown youth talent to a regular starter at right-back and his stock is beginning to rise.

He scored his first senior goal at the weekend in the unfortunate 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, which was a rocket that flew past David De Gea from distance.

Valery is a flying full-back with good pace and attacking instinct, but appears to be defensively switched on too and good enough for the Premier League.

Valery did look a little naive when he came into the first-team earlier in the season, as his red card away to Leicester City highlighted.

But he’s continued to go from strength to strength in the team by adapting into a more mature role and the manager Hasenhuttl needs praise for sticking with him.

Southampton do appear to have stumbled on yet another young gem if he stays on the same path and he will have an important role to play in the relegation run-in.