Southampton’s new coach Claude Puel is confident defender Jose Fonte will still be at the club at the end of the summer transfer window despite talk linking him to Manchester United.
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The 54-year-old Puel arrived from Nice, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season, and Saints fans will be hoping a similar position can be achieved in the Premier League this term.
Puel, who was announced as Ronald Koeman’s successor in June following the Dutchman’s move to Everton, insists Fonte is an important part of his plans at St Mary’s ahead of the new season.
“I do not think there’s a chance for José to leave us”. I am sure that he can play all these games, he is very proficient. When I see him on the training ground, he is concentrated and a good professional.
“It’s very important because when you go to a club you ask for some information and then they tell you here that Troy Deeney is the leader of Watford”, Mazzarri said of his captain signing a new deal. And how will the club cope with losing more high-profile players to bigger clubs?
“It is important to keep Jose Fonte at Southampton”, Puel said.
The teams last played in January this year and Southampton won the game 2 – 0. Its important to have good concentration about our play. “They can share their confidence with the others”.
Southampton manager Claude Puel is looking forward to his first Premier League game in charge at home to Watford on Saturday.
“It is an exciting moment for me and it is the same for the players”, he said. It is always a special day.
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The Saints once again enter the campaign with some glaring questions that need to be answered, namely, how will a new manager on the south coast fare?
