Tuesday 6 December 2016 13:34, UK
Oriol Romeu says he is enjoying his football at Southampton and puts his excellent early season form down to boss Claude Puel.
The Spaniard has been a vital part of the Saints side which has reached the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, is aiming to secure passage from the group stage of the Europa League and sits just four points behind Manchester United in sixth spot in the Premier League.
Romeu has excelled at the base of the Saints midfield, with Puel insisting the former Barcelona and Chelsea man is a "more technical" player than he was in the same position, but the 25-year-old says he is enjoying playing under the Frenchman.
"I think mainly since the coach came he gave me his confidence and I've been playing since the first day," he told Sky Sports. "I feel very good, not only with the coach but also with my team-mates and when I'm playing I'm enjoying it and feeling very comfortable out there.
"Every time I go out it is like the 90 minutes go quick because I'm feeling happy, I'm feeling good and I just want to make the games a bit longer!
"That tells you that I'm enjoying it, I'm feeling good physically and mentally and that we are doing the right things as well. I don't want to put this as my best football, I think I can give more and play much better than what I am doing. I want to learn more things from the coach, from my team-mates and get better every game."
Virgil van Dijk has been another mainstay in Puel's team alongside Romeu this season and his performances have seen him linked with a move away from St Mary's.
Romeu believes he is the best defender in the Premier League but says the Dutchman is happy to stay at the club.
"For me, he is the best centre back that we have in this league. I have been playing with him and training every day and he is just amazing," he said. "He is very good, strong in the air, good in the one-v-one's and it is very good to have him here.
"The Southampton players, we would like to have him here, and I think he is very happy at this club, feeling very comfortable and he is one of our leaders and we need to have him here."
Southampton were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace at the weekend, with a Fraser Forster mistake giving Christian Benteke the chance to open the scoring. However, Romeu has confidence in the Saints keeper.
"He's been amazing, not only this season, but since he came back from his injury. He has saved us so many times, he has been there for us doing amazing saves and we cannot say anything to him," he said.
"Sometimes he can make a mistake and we have to support him and we know that he is going to give his best the next time. He is a strong guy, he has the right attitude, he is very good in training and is mentally very strong so I'm sure he is going to come back and do his best as he has always done."
