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Leicester City 1-2 Southampton: Premier League – Three Key Players

By Erik Franzo

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Oriol Romeu of Southampton acknowledges the fans following the Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton FC at The King Power Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Oriol Romeu of Southampton acknowledges the fans following the Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton FC at The King Power Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Hamza Choudhury of Leicester City battles for possession with Oriol Romeu of Southampton during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton FC at The King Power Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Hamza Choudhury of Leicester City battles for possession with Oriol Romeu of Southampton during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton FC at The King Power Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

Oriol Romeu

The former Southampton player of the year is forcing fans to question Mark Hughes past and future decision making as a Premier League manager.  Romeu has been a true warrior since Hasenhuttl arrived and was again on Saturday in a gut-wrenching 96 minute performance.

James Ward-Prowse does deserve some recognition for the shift he put in with the absence of Mario Lemina (injury) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (suspension). However, the Spaniard was absolutely brilliant sitting in front of the back three, breaking up attacks with perfectly timed tackles and interceptions.

If you watched closely in the first half, his positioning was impeccable. Romeu stepped into passing lanes while reading the game beautifully from a defensive perspective.  On the ball, he was also excellent.  Showing a calmness and poise to turn out of trouble, even on top of his own penalty box.

It was another impressive all-around gem from Romeu, and one that will make the manager’s selection very difficult once the team is fully fit.