This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
When Ryan Bertrand didn’t make Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad for the 2-0 win away to Brighton back in August, eyebrows may have been raised.
This was an England international, a man who had started a Champions League final for Chelsea – surely summer signing Kevin Danso was merely stepping in as cover while Bertrand was injured, right?
Well, while that’s what most presumably would’ve thought, the Southampton boss almost immediately put any queries to bed.
The Daily Echo’s Adam Leitch reported that Hasenhuttl said he would’ve dropped Bertrand for Danso anyway, regardless of any knock, while the Austrian then went on to play Moussa Djenepo – a forward – and a right-back in Cedric at left-back in the weeks after that even when Bertrand was back fit and available.
Whatever caused Hasenhuttl to drop Bertrand for that trip to Brighton remains to be seen, although the 30-year-old has reacted superbly to the situation.
In contrast to the likes of Charlie Austin and Mario Lemina, who fell by the wayside at St Mary’s after being frozen out by Hasenhuttl, Bertrand has instead reinstated himself into the starting XI and has also been a key performer in recent weeks.
The former Aston Villa left-back grabbed the assist for Danny Ings’ goal against Arsenal a few weeks ago, helping the Saints earn a point in a 2-2 draw, before notching his first league goal of the campaign against Norwich – a clever finish which eventually turned out to be the match-winning strike in a 2-1 win.
As a unit, there are understandably still question marks over Southampton’s defence as a whole – the Saints have conceded a league-high 35 goals after 16 games.
However, from an individualistic point of view, Bertrand deserves credit for getting his head down, working hard and grabbing his spot back with both hands to become a big contributor in Southampton’s fight for survival – it really does seem as if he’s now back in Hasenhuttl’s good books.
In other news, find out why Ajax star and Ballon d’Or nominee Dusan Tadic is grateful to Southampton…
