| Stephens speaks of van Dijk influence | Southampton defender Jack Stephens has spoken about the role team captain Virgil van Dijk has had on his development … 23-04-2017 |
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg might have had to wait almost three months in between Premier League starts, but the midfielder refused to let his absence from the team affect his commitment during that time.
Højbjerg has started Saints’ past two matches – the 1-0 win at West Brom and the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City – after not being named in the XI for a league match since mid-January.
“Of course, it’s always nice to get the possibility to take part and to be doing what you love to do, which is playing and showing what you can, so of course I appreciate it,” he said, reflecting on his return, ahead of Tuesday night’s visit to leaders Chelsea.
During his time out of the starting line-up, Højbjerg was praised by manager Claude Puel for the attitude he continued to show in training, and the 21-year-old explained how important it was to him to maintain his standards.
“When you are a professional football player in a Premier League club like Southampton, you have a responsibility that requires that you have to give 100 per cent,” he said.
"You have to try to do your best and this is what I did. I did my job, I did what I had to do and what I wanted to do, and that was to show the coach that he could count on me, that I was ready.
"Of course, it was a long time without playing, I have to admit that, but still I would do it all again – I think as a player you have to be willing to go through it and keep on pushing, because times like this will come.
"Nobody likes it, but if you don’t show yourself and get the maximum out of a situation it can be an even tougher time.
"I just wanted when I got home and the day was done to know that I had given my all and, in the end, if the coach puts me in or not, of course it’s my problem, but it’s not my decision.
“I just try to do my best and keep fit and sharp, because I knew when I got the opportunity to play I needed to be ready. Football is like that – you need to take your opportunities, otherwise another person will take it.”
The People suggest the Saints are jockeying with Champions League semi-finalists Monaco for his signature. Reports last month suggested Arsenal and Chelsea are also keen on the 23-year-old.
“Helder Costa is wanted by Chelsea, Arsenal and Southampton” Blues boss Antonio Conte has had spies tracking the 23-year-old. Arsene Wenger is also a long-term admirer and sent scouts to watch him in action earlier this season. Wolves coughed up £13m to sign Costa permanently from Benfica in January after a series of impressive displays on loan.
However, the Championship outfit might be tempted to make a quick profit and cash in on their talented star. He’s bagged 11 goals in 34 appearances for the club.
Three youngsters – Alisha Ware, Ella Morris and Mia Cruickshank – have been called up for the England Women’s Under-15 training camp at St George’s Park next month.
The trio will link up with the rest of the squad on Saturday 6th May and spend the weekend training with their international colleagues.
Elsewhere, Sophia Pharaoh is on the standby list for the England Women’s Under-17 squad that has been selected for the UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship finals, in Czech Republic, next month.
England are in a group with Norway, Netherlands and Republic of Ireland for the tournament.
Additionally, Harriet Lambe has been picked by Republic of Ireland for their Women’s Under-16 team friendly away to Netherlands.
Lambe will be part of the Ireland squad that is taking on their opponents, in Zaltbommel, on Friday 28th April.
Antonio Conte has challenged both his players and Chelsea fans to use their FA Cup semi-final victory as a springboard to win the Premier League – but complained that his club were being unfairly treated by the authorities by being forced to play again against Southampton on Tuesday night.
Conte, who is now on course to match Kenny Dalglish, Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti by winning a league and FA Cup double in his first full season in English football, insisted that Chelsea could use their 4-2 victory over title rivals Tottenham to push them over the line in the race for the league.
But the Italian is unhappy that TV scheduling means that Chelsea have to play on Tuesday while Tottenham have an extra day’s rest before their fixture against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Conte said: 'We have to try to exploit the momentum because, for sure, the win is a very important against a team that is fighting you for the title.
'We must exploit this. Also, we have to know that on Tuesday, we have a really tough game against Southampton with technical players who want to come to Stamford Bridge and play a really good game.
‘For this reason, I want our fans to be there to help the players on the pitch. It is a really important moment for us and we need our fans in the same way today they pushed us a lot. It’s very important.’
But Conte is annoyed that TV demands means that Chelsea get one day’s less recovery than Tottenham, who play Palace on Wednesday night, with Sky Sports showing both games.
‘It is not easy to understand why,’ he said. 'I don’t understand that we get one day less against Southampton, a team that has rested for 10 days. And Tottenham have to play on Wednesday.
‘One day more to rest against Palace, who have to play tomorrow (Sunday). It is very difficult to understand this dynamic. At the end of the season, you must try to have balance to understand the situation and put the teams in the same situation to fight. We have to have the best answer on the pitch. But it’s not easy.’
Conte rested Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, bringing them on with the game at 2-2 on the hour. ‘You must take a strong decision and take the responsibility,’ he said.
'When you arrive in this part of the season and you know you have to play three tough games and I know I have to play on Tuesday after only three days.
'It is not easy to decide to start the game without two really important players like Eden and Diego but you must take this responsibility and involve your players in your plan and then to take this risk.
'Our plan was this and I tried also to tell my players to stay in the game because, if we passed more time, it was better for us.
‘Then I decided in the last thirty minutes to put on Eden and Diego, and Cesc (Fabgregas), who don’t forget, he was very important for us.’