RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted summer signing Armel Bella-Kotchap will have to show patience to get his Saints chance but, in the same breath, hinted the door is now ajar after opening day defeat.

The 20-year-old German youth international, signed from Bundesliga’s VFL Bochum, featured heavily alongside Mohammed Salisu and Jan Bednarek in the Austrian’s pre-season ‘best XI’ simulations.

However, he was then left on the bench for the visit to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend in favour of Yan Valery. A further surprise came when Jack Stephens was preferred as the half-time substitute.

Kotchap, who played 22 times in Germany’s top division last campaign, is one of six centre-back battling to be noticed by Hasenhuttl – also not including impressive youngster Dynel Simeu.

Lyanco has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Leeds United through a minor knee injury, and the struggles of Valery and Stephens could see Bella-Kotchap preferred for a Premier League debut.

Daily Echo: Armel Bella-Kotchap during the pre-season victory over AS Monaco (Pic: Stuart Martin)Armel Bella-Kotchap during the pre-season victory over AS Monaco (Pic: Stuart Martin)

But asked if the Paris-born German will have to be patient this season, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “Yeah definitely, especially on this position we have six players so it is not so easy to step in.

“But as always, if you do a good job in the week and step up, especially when you haven’t been successful the weekend before, there is always a chance to step back in.”

He continued: “It’s not perfect when you haven’t trained or are injured, but they have to grab the chance when they get it and show up – this is the way to put pressure on me.”

Hasenhuttl handed out three Premier League debuts from the start versus Antonio Conte’s Spurs, with Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia and Joe Aribo all given the opportunity.

Bella-Kotchap had become mostly accustomed to playing in a four-man defence during his time in Germany, which saw VFL Bochum promoted from Bundesliga 2 in the 2020-21 season.

Daily Echo:

Hasenhuttl’s switch to a five has left a little room for learning on the part of the 20-year-old, but the boss insists this is not a huge issue.

“We can also play a back four. In this case it's good,” he said. “It's harder to play the other way around when you always play a back five.

“To then switch to a back four, I think the distances are longer, you have to slide more and it is harder.”

If Bella-Kotchap is introduced to the side tomorrow, it would likely see him sit to the right of a central Bednarek – with Ghanaian Salisu to the left – leaving the Pole to organise proceedings.

“This is a role that maybe is new to Jan this season,” Hasenhuttl added, on the now experienced 26-year-old. “But he has shown he can do this and it's the next step in his development.”

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