Southampton: Winger Moussa Djenepo’s first Saints season reviewed

Moussa Djenepo arrived in England from Standard Liege as one of three summer signings for Southampton ahead of the 2019/20 season.

His fee of around £14m showed that Saints really wanted him and that Standard weren’t prepared to hand him over without a decent amount of money in return.

It was clear to see what he had been brought in to provide as Saints fans tried to find out what type of player he was going to be.

He had built a reputation in Belgium as being a tricky attacker who was capable of providing a creative spark and chipping in with goals from the wing.

Saints had also signed striker Che Adams and loaned defender Kevin Danso, so adding Djenepo filled out another key area for Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The Malian’s first appearance came as a substitute in Saints’ first home game of the campaign against Liverpool, but he would soon get more time on the pitch and take his chance brilliantly.

A week after the narrow loss to Liverpool, Ralph Hasenhuttl and his side made the trip along the South Coast to Brighton. They were still in need of some inspiration with the score at 0-0 when Djenepo was brought on in the 54th minute.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

With his first touches of the ball, he controlled a pass from Danny Ings and pushed menacingly towards the home penalty area. The space continued to open up, but it was still a surprise when he unleashed a superb curling strike into the far corner to put his side ahead.

He then missed the next game against Manchester United, but returned to provide yet more inspiration against Sheffield United.

At Bramall Lane, he followed up his long-range strike at Brighton with a solo goal that showed fantastic skill, spacial awareness and an ability to finish when it matters.

Since then, it is fair to say that his influence has drifted a bit – a 21-year-old should be given time to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, and especially when he plays as an attacker.

A red card came in Saints’ last game against Newcastle, but this was after a week that had seen him lose him mother.

Along with two goals, he does have to impressive assists that hint at his ability to further. One jinking run and cross helped Saints to a much-needed win over Watford in November, and then a skilful cross with the outside of his foot set up Shane Long’s goal against Aston Villa back in February.

In all, Djenepo really is a work in progress. He is young, has a very slight frame and will want to contribute with more assists and goals.

However, fellow Saints players and coaches will be very excited with what they have with him in terms of potential for the future, and Djenepo could not ask for a better manager than Ralph Hasenhuttl to bring out the best in him in years to come.