Ralph Hasenhüttl feels Callum Slattery could have a bright future ahead at Southampton, after handing him his first Premier League start in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.
Slattery was one of two changes to the side that drew with Crystal Palace, with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg unavailable due to a head injury, while Stuart Armstrong came in for Yan Valery asJames Ward-Prowse assumed a different role.
After a number of Academy players involvement since Hasenhüttl’s arrival, it was a further show of faith in the 19-year-old midfielder after his start at Derby in the FA Cup and substitute appearances against Leicester and Palace.
“He showed that he is another young guy that has maybe a big future in this team. I wanted to give him the chance to play from the beginning in a Premier League game,” the Saints boss reflected.
“I know that a few fans are upset that we didn’t take a transfer in the window but if you look exactly then you see there are a lot of new players in this team if I speak about Slatts for example or Kayne Ramsay or Yan Valery.
“A lot of new players who didn’t play before so I feel we have changed a lot in this team. Not with new transfers or new signings but by giving the young players a chance to play.
“They show that we can count on them, we can trust them and I think that’s the most important thing for us.”
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