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Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand continues to impress while he is on loan at Southampton who are currently second in the Premier League table with eight points below Chelsea. It was him who provided the crucial assist that led to the equalizing goal for the Saints during their 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
Despite Southampton’s poor and disappointing play, the English defender found the inspiration he needed as he came down running from the left plant, sliding the ball across the edge of the Villa box, setting up the goal for right-back Nathaniel Clyne to score the match saving goal.
Bertrand has been one of Southampton’s best performer, starting 12 Premier League matches while bagging a goal and assist. It has been suggested that manager Ronald Koeman is interested in signing him on a permanent basis as they have an option to buy him for £10 million deal next summer.
“I’ve been fortunate to see a lot of good players in my time at Chelsea,” says Bertrand in an interview with Guardian. “The day I came to the club, when we were training, I had confidence in the team straight away. I knew that we could do good things.”
After arriving back at the club following a successful loan spell at Aston Villa, Bertrand hoped he would find himself in the starting berth, but head coach Jose Mourinho didn’t share the same feeling after securing the services of Brazilian defender Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid.
“I came back and approached pre-season as normal, working hard, but strange things happen,” Bertrand adds. “Things happen for a reason. I’ve never been one to just sit there on the bench for no reason, and I had good options to go and play elsewhere.”
81’ – Clyne’s equalizer following a pass from Bertrand
30’ – Gabriel Agbonlahor’s opener for Villa
