Saints Spanish midfielder or is he now more Catalonian after his recent cap has been talking to the media in Spain about his time at Southampon.

Oriol Romeu has been speaking about his time at Saints and how this season has been turned around by the arrival of Ralph Hassenhuttl.

He started by talking about Mark Hughes's period as Saints boss.

“It was a complicated phase because I didn’t have the confidence of the coach. The weeks passed and, as you do not play, you find yourself getting worse physically and you have certain doubts. You return and you have the feeling that you have to demonstrate many things.”

But things changed when Ralph arrive and the approach changed.

“The feelings are relatively good. It’s not a comfortable situation, but we have a good run. It’s going to be a close fight. We are many teams within a few points. Last season we were saved with 36 points, but this time the stay will cost more.”

“I like it. It’s bold and offensive. We play without fear for anyone.”

Romeu who was signed on a three year deal in 2015 for only £5 million from Chelsea could be said to be one of the best signings of the last few years on a pound for pound basis, he has now played over 150 games overall for the club and at 27 is perhaps entering the peak years of his career.

He has no regrets about either moving to St Mary's or indeed staying and speaks with pride about being asked to Captain the side.

“It’s the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. When I arrived, in 2015, it was unimaginable. I have three years of contract and I would not mind extending it. I’m very identified with the club, the fans… It’s difficult to improve.”

Romeu has had his critics at times although in the main he has been consistent so that criticism has not esculated into the vitriolic abuse that some have had to endure, as he nears the end of his fourth season as a Saints he has started 105 Premier League games for the club plus another 16 as sub a total of 31 games out of the 144 he could have played in, that is a good average.

In the Premier league he has scored 4 times, the most recent being against Fulham when he opened the scoring in our 2-0 win.

Add another 9 appearances in the FA Cup, 8 in the League cup where he became a member of that elusive band of Saints players who have played in a major cup final for the club and another 8 in the Europe League and he has totalled 156 games scoring 5 times, truly a bargain signing back in the summer of 2015.

Photo: Action Images

landerwal added 13:00 - Mar 29 He has been a great signing for the Saints and has always been a player who attracts little criticism because he always give 100 per cent even if he is having a bad game. He was also Saints Player of the Year a season or two ago so he must be doing something right. I certainly hope he signs an extension to his contract.
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SaintBrock added 18:32 - Mar 29 If it means anything he has been my favourite Saints player of recent times. Arguably our best player. Just give him another contract SFC he has nothing more to prove here.
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perazi added 22:11 - Mar 29 Good write up. One of my favourite players too - ridiculously overlooked by Pellegrino and Hughes. Fearless midfielder with great strength, intercepting and tackling skills. OR also has a good eye for a pass and never goes missing during a game. He surely will be offered a contract extension - my favourite memory is a game v Spurs when he and an in-form Wanyama went at it and Oriel got the better of Vic on the day. Only a bonus that he appears a very good human being and I quite like his politics too......a true Catalan!

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