Mohammed Salisu reveals how he managed to earn starting role at Southampton

Ghana and Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu has revealed how he defied all odds and broke into Southampton Starting lineup after a difficult first season.

The 22-year-old joined the Saints in 2020 summer from La Liga side, Real Valladolid in a deal worth 10 million pounds.

After a torrid start last season, the towering guardsman has become a key cog to the Premier League club featuring 14 times and scoring just once in the ongoing season.

Explaining how he managed to break into the starting lineup, Salisu said, “I studied what the manager wanted, how he wanted his central defenders to play, how he wants the team to play, I studied it match after match,” Salisu, who was determined not to quit on his Southampton dream, continued.

“This all made it easier for me, easier to play in the team.

“The manager would always talk to me. He would tell me to be patient. He would tell me that once I was fit I would get my minutes to play, he’d always tell me to be patient.

“He has been a good manager. Since I came here, he has been good to me. I remember before I came here, we spoke. He told me he needed me in the team and that I was a long-term project, how I was a young central defender, I needed to do what I was doing and I would get more minutes to play.

“So far the season is going on well and I hope everything continues like this,” he added.

“I think it’s very important as a young central defender to get more minutes in the Premier League. I am very happy.”