How Morgan Schneiderlin made it big with Saints

Morgan Schneiderlin in Premier League action against Manchester United Morgan Schneiderlin in Premier League action against Manchester United

More than four years have now passed since Morgan Schneiderlin made a terrifying leap into the unknown.

As he prepares to face West Ham in today’s Premier League contest at Upton Park, the Frenchman knows that the daunting jump was worth it.

It was the summer of 2008 when an 18-year-old Schneiderlin opted to leave his family behind in order to move to England and join Saints.

Unable to speak the language and knowing no one, it was not a simple transition.

“For myself, it was very difficult,” said Schneiderlin, now 22 and one of Saints’ most engaging players, both on and off the pitch.

“I was very young, I was only 18, and for me it was a difficult thing to leave my family and friends to come to England.”

Given his burgeoning reputation at boyhood club RC Strasbourg and his secure place in the France Under-19 set-up, the midfielder could have been forgiven for grasping onto the safe option and staying put.

Yet Schneiderlin had a burning desire to do one thing – something he couldn’t achieve in France. He wanted to play in the Premier League.

There had been opportunities to move before. At 16, Schneiderlin had the chance to join a top-flight English club – believed to be Arsenal.

At that stage, however, he felt he was too young.

But when Championship side Saints came calling two years later, Schneiderlin decided the opportunity had to be seized.

Full story in today's Daily Echo

Comments(16)

Southampton boy says...
8:13am Sat 20 Oct 12

I canb remember him playing you could see then that he could be a good player and now he is showing his ability so lets hope he has another good game today and we get the win we need COYR's

Saintsteve7 says...
8:26am Sat 20 Oct 12

One of of our best performers so far. He has not looked out of place against any of the sides we've played and there are some serious big name midfielders in those teams.

Funny how quite a few supporters questioned whether he had the ability to step up! I always felt in a more technically demanding league he would actually flourish compared to the ugliness of the lower leagues.

I think it's also quite evident that coming to saints as an 18 year old he now feels like a homegrown saint who now has the club firmly in his heart.

He'll probably leave now for Arsenal..!

SouthamptonLegend says...
8:56am Sat 20 Oct 12

I personally don't rate him. And he has like the rest of the team been under performing. Where on earth have these two been, posting above me...

I'd prefer Cork or Chaplow instead of Morgan any day!

SO50 Saint says...
9:22am Sat 20 Oct 12

Bit harsh there SouthamptonLegend. I wouldn't say under performing I think players are taking a little longer to adapt to the Premier League a completely different league to what most have played in. I also think Morgan has looked good for us this year and will only get better with game time. Will take a point today though will be a very tough game

ghk230473 says...
10:09am Sat 20 Oct 12

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
I personally don't rate him. And he has like the rest of the team been under performing. Where on earth have these two been, posting above me...

I'd prefer Cork or Chaplow instead of Morgan any day!
Spiderman and cork have the potential to gain international caps with their countries. I am surprised chaplow hasn't made more appearances this year but with the rising of jwp along with others competition in midfield is tough.
I would give chappers a go in a 3 man centre midfield and tell him to cover every blade of grass.

Folkestone Saint says...
10:12am Sat 20 Oct 12

He is braver than me,at 20 I was working in Cork for a while but when I was asked to make it permenant I got on the first plane home.
Oh and in those day's their Hooch did not taste of lemon

drummernath says...
10:19am Sat 20 Oct 12

Love Schneiderlin. Loyal servant, hard worker, awesome player. When he plays a good game, we play a good game. Hope he stays for many more years.

Portswood says...
10:36am Sat 20 Oct 12

Huge credit to Morgan for the brave move he made at 18, and for the dedication and commitment he's shown ever since. He's already a good player at Premier League level and will get even better. As Nigel Adkins has suggested, Morgan has the potential to become one of the best midfielders playing in England. He'll make the step up to play for France at full international level. If he stays with us - fingers crossed - he might well become a Saints legend.

Strasbourg Saint says...
10:42am Sat 20 Oct 12

Legend, I totally disagree with you, the Arsenal match aside, when he froze on his big moment, he's been outstanding.

He's class and will play for France by the end of this season if he stays fit and keeps playing well. Alas, yes, if he keeps developing, Arsene might want him and, if so, Morgan will leave; can't blame him if that happened.

Of course, if I hadn't agreed to make the move to Strasbourg as part of the deal that brought him to SMS, I'd be playing in the red and (pin-stripped) white this afternoon and no Saints fan would have heard of him.

It's okay everyone, just thank me with a pint next time I'm over. :)

billythesaint says...
12:10pm Sat 20 Oct 12

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
I personally don't rate him. And he has like the rest of the team been under performing. Where on earth have these two been, posting above me...

I'd prefer Cork or Chaplow instead of Morgan any day!
You obviously didn't go to the Man U game!

Rob The Saint NOT in NZ says...
1:07pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Legend, I totally disagree with you, the Arsenal match aside, when he froze on his big moment, he's been outstanding.

He's class and will play for France by the end of this season if he stays fit and keeps playing well. Alas, yes, if he keeps developing, Arsene might want him and, if so, Morgan will leave; can't blame him if that happened.

Of course, if I hadn't agreed to make the move to Strasbourg as part of the deal that brought him to SMS, I'd be playing in the red and (pin-stripped) white this afternoon and no Saints fan would have heard of him.

It's okay everyone, just thank me with a pint next time I'm over. :)
Will do.

I'm sure Strasbourg are wondering what end of the deal they got though!

ramptonfromsouthampton says...
1:09pm Sat 20 Oct 12

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
I personally don't rate him. And he has like the rest of the team been under performing. Where on earth have these two been, posting above me...

I'd prefer Cork or Chaplow instead of Morgan any day!
Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion; but regarding Spiderman, here are some interesting stats...
http://www.footballt
ransfertavern.com/20
12/10/premiership/we
st-ham-vs-southampto
n-the-fact-packed-pr
eview?utm_source=fee
dburner&utm_medium=f
eed&utm_campaign=Fee
d%3A+TransferTavern+
%28The+Transfer+Tave
rn+Home+Page%29
Underperforming? I don't think so.

Strasbourg Saint says...
1:38pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Rob The Saint NOT in NZ wrote:
Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Legend, I totally disagree with you, the Arsenal match aside, when he froze on his big moment, he's been outstanding.

He's class and will play for France by the end of this season if he stays fit and keeps playing well. Alas, yes, if he keeps developing, Arsene might want him and, if so, Morgan will leave; can't blame him if that happened.

Of course, if I hadn't agreed to make the move to Strasbourg as part of the deal that brought him to SMS, I'd be playing in the red and (pin-stripped) white this afternoon and no Saints fan would have heard of him.

It's okay everyone, just thank me with a pint next time I'm over. :)
Will do.

I'm sure Strasbourg are wondering what end of the deal they got though!
This should give you some idea, Rob:

Racing Strasbourg 2005-2012

2005-6 relegated from National League 1 (in centenary year)
2006-7 promoted
2007-8 relegated
I moved to the city of Strasbourg, Morgan moved to the football club of Southampton.
2008-9 just missed out on promotion
2009-10 relegated to National 3
2010-11 just missed out on promotion again. Nearly went bankrupt.
2011-12 regrouped in something like the Southern League - won it and were promoted.
2012-13 Now 3rd in something like the Conference South, I suppose.

Sound familiar? It's all my fault. The good news is I've been offered a one-month contract by Appleton. Should I take it?

mack chinnon says...
1:46pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Rob The Saint NOT in NZ wrote:
Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Legend, I totally disagree with you, the Arsenal match aside, when he froze on his big moment, he's been outstanding.

He's class and will play for France by the end of this season if he stays fit and keeps playing well. Alas, yes, if he keeps developing, Arsene might want him and, if so, Morgan will leave; can't blame him if that happened.

Of course, if I hadn't agreed to make the move to Strasbourg as part of the deal that brought him to SMS, I'd be playing in the red and (pin-stripped) white this afternoon and no Saints fan would have heard of him.

It's okay everyone, just thank me with a pint next time I'm over. :)
Will do.

I'm sure Strasbourg are wondering what end of the deal they got though!
This should give you some idea, Rob:

Racing Strasbourg 2005-2012

2005-6 relegated from National League 1 (in centenary year)
2006-7 promoted
2007-8 relegated
I moved to the city of Strasbourg, Morgan moved to the football club of Southampton.
2008-9 just missed out on promotion
2009-10 relegated to National 3
2010-11 just missed out on promotion again. Nearly went bankrupt.
2011-12 regrouped in something like the Southern League - won it and were promoted.
2012-13 Now 3rd in something like the Conference South, I suppose.

Sound familiar? It's all my fault. The good news is I've been offered a one-month contract by Appleton. Should I take it?
When are you back in Blighty Strassie.
I owe you a pint, with a bit of luck may owe you another by 4.45. Dont hold your breath though

Strasbourg Saint says...
3:19pm Sat 20 Oct 12

mack chinnon wrote:
Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Rob The Saint NOT in NZ wrote:
Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Legend, I totally disagree with you, the Arsenal match aside, when he froze on his big moment, he's been outstanding.

He's class and will play for France by the end of this season if he stays fit and keeps playing well. Alas, yes, if he keeps developing, Arsene might want him and, if so, Morgan will leave; can't blame him if that happened.

Of course, if I hadn't agreed to make the move to Strasbourg as part of the deal that brought him to SMS, I'd be playing in the red and (pin-stripped) white this afternoon and no Saints fan would have heard of him.

It's okay everyone, just thank me with a pint next time I'm over. :)
Will do.

I'm sure Strasbourg are wondering what end of the deal they got though!
This should give you some idea, Rob:

Racing Strasbourg 2005-2012

2005-6 relegated from National League 1 (in centenary year)
2006-7 promoted
2007-8 relegated
I moved to the city of Strasbourg, Morgan moved to the football club of Southampton.
2008-9 just missed out on promotion
2009-10 relegated to National 3
2010-11 just missed out on promotion again. Nearly went bankrupt.
2011-12 regrouped in something like the Southern League - won it and were promoted.
2012-13 Now 3rd in something like the Conference South, I suppose.

Sound familiar? It's all my fault. The good news is I've been offered a one-month contract by Appleton. Should I take it?
When are you back in Blighty Strassie.
I owe you a pint, with a bit of luck may owe you another by 4.45. Dont hold your breath though
You're on Mack, but I'm not coming to Aberdeen to get it. :)

Second one will be on me, of course.

See you in The Station sometime soon.

Fatty x Ford Worker says...
6:30pm Sat 20 Oct 12

Great goal scorer how many Has he got for Saints then!

click2find

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