Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton: Yan Valery’s season in review so far

By Ryan Borowski

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Yan Valery of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Southampton FC at Stamford Bridge on January 2, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Yan Valery of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Southampton FC at Stamford Bridge on January 2, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The young defender got the chance to start at Right-Back earlier in the season for Southampton and has not looked back since.

Valery made his first appearance of the season back on December 1st against, Manchester United. He put in a 90 minute shift and showed he had the potential to be the right back of the future for the club.

Although, still young and is prone to a mistake here and there, Valery has impressed most fans and his performances have been encouraging to say the least.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 30: Yan Valery of Southampton runs with the ball under pressure from Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Crystal Palace at St Mary’s Stadium on January 30, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 30: Yan Valery of Southampton runs with the ball under pressure from Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Crystal Palace at St Mary’s Stadium on January 30, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /

Next. 3 previous impressive results for Saints away at Arsenal. dark

His most notable performance came against Chelsea when he drew the task of keeping Eden Hazard in check. For 90 minutes, the 19-year-old made 4 tackles, 5 interceptions, and had 5 clearances. But, most importantly, he kept the Belgian from hitting the back of the net and helped secure a draw at Stamford Bridge.

More from Saints Marching

On average, his numbers defensively are not as impressive, he is averaging 1.8 tackles a match, 0.8 interceptions, and 2.5 clearances. He definitely has room to improve, there is no denying that. But, what we have seen and Hasenhuttl’s commitment to developing players, the signs are all there that we have a potentially great right-back on our hands.

In the Hasenhuttl system, Valery has been playing an attacking role as well as a defensive one. He bombs down the flank and looks to receive the ball in a position to deliver a cross.

He shows his age on the ball sometimes but if he develops this part of his game he will become a complete player and a great compliment to Bertrand on the other side of the pitch.

Valery was one of the first youth team members to get their shot under Hasenhuttl and it seems like it was a good decision to get him in there and let him prove himself.

All stats according to WhoScored.com