Southampton completed a ‘smart deal’ for Armel Bella-Kotchap after earning his first international call-up with Germany, says transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: Bella-Kotchap receives call-up
The French-born starlet joined the Saints over the summer on a four-year deal from VfL Bochum and has made an instant impact on Ralph Hasenhuttl’s starting XI.
The 20-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm during the opening six games of the new season, and has now been rewarded for his performances by being named in Germany’s international squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The Latest: Romano’s reaction
Taking to Twitter, Romano reacted to the news and was full of praise for Bella-Kotchap. He wrote:
“Southampton centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap has been called up for Germany senior team for the first time.
“Smart deal for Southampton as he’s one of the best talents in his position and he’s already highly rated.”
The Verdict: Fully deserved
Bella-Kotchap getting a chance to represent his country on the international stage is nothing less than he deserves after making a name for himself on the south coast.
The defender has been a rock at the heart of the Saints backline, averaging a remarkable five clearances and winning three aerial duels per league game, via WhoScored.
The 6 foot 2 colossus has already shown his potential at such a young age, and it’s scary to imagine what else he’s capable of as his continues his development over the years to come.