Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl speaks on Mohammed Salisu’s future at the club

Manager of English Premier League side, Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl, believes Ghanaian defender, Mohammed Salisu, is the future of the club.

The 21-year-old Ghanaian centre back joined The Saints in August from Spanish side Real Valladolid for £10.9million but is yet to make his debut for the club.

There were expectations of Salisu’s making his debut against Fulham over the weekend after defender Jannik Vestergaard was ruled out due to a knee injury but Hasenhuttl opted to recall Jack Stephens for the contest instead of handing 21-year-old Salisu his debut.

Despite the delay in Salisu’s debut, the German tactician has insisted the centre back is the future of the club.

“Salisu is the future of this club. It will take time. We know how long it takes for some players to step into the team,” Hasenhuttl said.

“He has so much potential and [at Fulham] it was more important for me, as I said, not to unsettle the team. It would have been difficult, I think.

“I am really happy that Sali is here and he shows to me in every session that he can help us,” he added.

However, many are hopeful of Salisu’s debut for the club when Southampton meets third-tier side Shrewsbury Town in an FA Cup game in January.