Southampton coach labels Super Eagles target 'biggest talent we have' after first EPL goal, assist

Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhüttl singled out Nathan Tella for praise following his outstanding performance in his side's 3-1 win over already-relegated Fulham at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday.

The Arsenal-reared winger played a starring role after coming off the bench in the 58th minute, scoring his first-ever goal in the Premier League before providing his first assist in the competition.

Two minutes after Tella's introduction, he stroked the ball home calmly after a lovely measured cross from Kyle Walker-Peters and doubled the Saints lead.

Theo Walcott sealed the win eight minutes from time, finishing from 18 yards after a beautiful lay-off from Tella.

Tella played seventeen games in total and was in action for 615 minutes before opening his account in the English top-flight.

Manager Hasenhüttl believes the future is bright for the Anglo-Nigerian starlet and labeled him the 'biggest talent we have at the moment'.

On Tella, the Austrian football tactician said to BBC Sport : "He's always smiling. He's very honest because he enjoys what he's doing. He sprints with a smile on his face because he likes to sprint.

"Sometimes he sprints more in 20 minutes than others in 90 minutes. This is an important season for him. We tried to give him gametime. The way we've tried to develop him is a good one.

"He's the biggest talent we have at the moment. He had a bad injury. I see him performing like he does at the moment, I enjoy watching it. A big praise for the academy."

International recognition could come for Tella in the future as Gernot Rohr's chief scout in England, Tunde Adelakun is keeping tabs on the progress of the exciting youngster with a view to a potential call-up to the Super Eagles.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com