Southampton rising star Tella targets more first-team football after sale of Ings to Aston Villa

Published: August 13, 2021

Southampton rising star Nathan Tella has spoken of his desire to play more first-team football following the departure of Danny Ings in the summer transfer window.

The future of Ings was one of the main talking points by the Saints fans in the off season and it was Aston Villa that won the race for his services, signing the attacker on a three-year contract for a fee of £30million.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl showed his faith in Tella by playing him in 22 games last season, eight as a starter, with the winger logging 838 minutes in total.

The Anglo-Nigerian is capable of playing all the roles in attack, including attacking midfielder, second striker, center forward, right and left winger.

"I just see Danny [Ings] leaving as another chance for me to play more football," Tella said to HampshireLive.

"I am not looking to fill his boots. I am just trying to improve my game on a day-to-day basis. That's all I want to do. I want to become the best player that I can possibly be.

"I am not thinking about what he did here, I am focusing on myself."

Tella, whose performances are being monitored by the Nigerian Federation ahead of a possible call-up to the Super Eagles, joined Southampton in 2017 after spending ten years at boyhood club Arsenal.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com

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