'Family' feel to Southampton squad 'good' for Moussa Djenepo

The 24-year-old Malian winger has enjoyed heavy involvement in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side so far this pre-season, after injury to left-back Romain Perraud at the back-end of last campaign.

Djenepo has operated as a wing-back in the manager’s new formation, playing 90 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Watford on Saturday, rotating only with 17-year-old Thierry Small while in Austria.

He has played alongside each of the three new outfield additions, Joe Aribo, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Romeo Lavia, while goalkeepers Mateusz Lis and Gavin Bazunu also went on the July camp.

Djenepo, who is a popular figure among the Saints squad for his happy-go-lucky attitude and humour, will also play a role in welcoming new French-speaking striker Sekou Mara.

Djenepo told the Daily Echo: “Yeah it is good, it is good, Armel, Romeo, Joe, they are good players.

Moussa Djenepo has enjoyed pre-season (Pic: Matt Temple)

“They come here and immediately we show them we are a good family and welcome them to the group.

“It was good to be there in Austria, it was good working altogether like family. That is what is needed in the team, we need to be all together.”

Although minutes and developing automatisms are the most important aspect of pre-season, Saints are still without victory from the three matches they have played.

After a 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig and successive 0-0 draws with Klagenfurt and Watford, they now face though tests against European giants Monaco and Villareal.

Djenepo insists Saturday’s run-out against the Championship challengers, on a dry surface at the home of non-league Wealdstone, Grosvenor Vale, will stand them in good stead.

“It was a good game for us because we have to be ready for the season, we work hard to do our best,” he insisted.

“Sure, we were compact in the game. We had that communication, as a team that communication is needed to be compact, positive, altogether with good mentality. That is why I’m focussed to help each other.”

On playing a more defensive role to plug the hole in Hasenhuttl’s side, Djenepo added: “It is not bad, I take it game by game and work hard to do my best.”

The matches versus Monaco and Villareal will see Saints return to St Mary’s for the first time since May 17, when Liverpool took the Premier League title race to the final day – and a small percentage of the home support remained to clap its players on their lap of appreciation.

It is a first chance for many to get a glimpse of a new-look Saints, with as many as six new signings playing at home for the first time, while they will be away at Tottenham Hotspur for the beginning of the league campaign.

“I can’t wait to come back to St Mary’s with the fans, it will be good games,” Djenepo said, speaking to the club website.

“It will not be easy but it is possible if we work and focus with good mentality. Amazing fans for Southampton, they are always with us and we are altogether to do the game.

“Let’s enjoy it together and we will do our best.”

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