RALPH Hasenhuttl referenced a ludicrous deadline day offer for Romeo Lavia and called for time to “keep it calm” around new Germany international Armel Bella-Kotchap.

Centre-back Bella-Kotchap was given his senior Germany debut as a late substitute by manager Hansi Flick at Wembley Stadium last week, at just 20 years old.

The former VFL Bochum youngster is the third highest-rated under-21 player in the Premier League, according to WhoScored stats, six games into his English top-flight career.

Lavia, 18, was subject to a £50million deadline day bid from Chelsea after having played just five times but scoring in a St Mary’s victory over the Blues.

Daily Echo: Romeo Lavia (Pic: Stuart Martin)Romeo Lavia (Pic: Stuart Martin) (Image: Romeo Lavia celebrates scoring from a corner against Chelsea. Image: Stuart Martin)

This verbal offer was rejected by Saints, and Hasenhuttl referred to an unnamed offer when asked about the potential for other clubs to be eyeing Bella-Kotchap already.

"We had this discussion with Romeo after a handful of games where he’s had offers from I don’t know who it was, but I will never understand this to be honest,” the Austrian insisted.

“Let them play a good season. I remember when I was playing, you needed two or three good seasons before people talk about you as a good one, now, meanwhile, three or four games are enough.

"Give them time, keep it calm. I know that you want to have stars and create stars, but it doesn't help the players and very often the opposite happens. This is why I try to keep them grounded and let them do their job."

Daily Echo: Ralph Hasenhuttl (Pic: PA)Ralph Hasenhuttl (Pic: PA)

However, Hasenhuttl recognised the immediate impact made by Bella-Kotchap – who arrived from the Bundesliga in a £9million deal as the third of 10 summer signings.

Former Saints assistant Danny Rohl was on site to watch Bella-Kotchap, now Germany’s number two, ahead of the international break to feed back to Flick.

That is why his call-up, so early into his senior career, was still no surprise for manager Hasenhuttl.

“I know that they had watched him and they saw him against Chelsea when he had a very good game there,” he admitted.

“You know what you get and there are not so many centre-backs in the league who dominate like this in the defensive duels and as soon as you perform well in the best league in the world, you have a lot of arguments on your side."

Hasenhuttl added: "We know what we have with him and we know how good he has done his job in these first few games and now he has the chance to take the next step in his career.

“He has had a good start here with this club and now he has some games to show he wants to go to the World Cup and he has the chance for this." 

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