Ibrahima Diallo: The Frenchman continues his development with a brilliant performance in Southampton’s 4-1 win over Brentford

When, in Brentford manager Thomas Frank’s words, you have the man who possesses the world’s best right foot in your team playing in the same position, regular football seems to be completely off the cards.

However, 22-year-old midfielder Ibrahima Diallo was given the green light to start on Tuesday night for Southampton’s Premier League clash against Brentford.

With Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl opting to use a 3-5-2 formation to match the Bees’ setup, Diallo was automatically called upon to sit alongside James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu, the current midfield duo.

The Frenchman has not had frequent opportunities this term given his status as the club’s third-choice central midfielder, with the Brentford clash being just his sixth start in the league.

Diallo has featured in all four of the Saints’ cup games so far this season, scoring his first senior goal in the Carabao Cup victory at Sheffield United.

However, the midfielder proved to his manager and teammates against the West London side that any slip-up from those higher up in the food chain and he will be there to pounce and take his chance.

It does feel as though there will be a day where either Oriol Romeu will no longer meet the necessary standard of the side or James Ward-Prowse will depart the club, either scenario will pave a way for Diallo to become a regular starter.

The Brentford game was an opportunity for the midfielder to shine, to impress, and boy did he succeed.

After the Saints ran out 4-1 victors in a completely dominant performance, their best of the season, it was a tall task to pick out a Man of the Match with everyone in red and white hardly putting a foot wrong.

On a night where he had to impress, Diallo particularly shone brightly.

According to SofaScore, the midfielder, who is known to be more defensive-minded, contributed three key passes whilst also completing 100% of his dribbles and enjoying an 88% passing accuracy as he commanded the midfield.

Moreover, three tackles, three clearances and an interception came as part of a decent defensive performance too.

Of course, the major contribution was the goal that unfortunately did not go down as his.

What appeared to be a scuffed volley from the edge of the area, the effort bounced cruelly as it hit the post and went into the back of the net off of Brentford goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez.

Passion erupted from the 22-year-old in celebration of what he thought was his first Premier League goal, but unfortunately, Diallo’s wait will be prolonged.

It does feel as though now may be the chance the youngster has been craving for since his £11 million move from Ligue 1 outfit Stade Brest.

After then-captain and midfielder Pierre Højbjerg had left for Tottenham Hotspur, there was a midfield gap with murmurs of doubt from some sections of the Southampton fan base as to whether or not Romeu would be suited to play regularly alongside Ward-Prowse.

Diallo was signed but it was proved that, ultimately, Romeu was good enough.

The 22-year-old started 10 of the 34 Premier League games last term for the Saints, having joined the club just before the summer transfer window closed.

90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Liverpool gave Southampton fans some suggestion of what could come from the young maestro. However, as Diallo’s minutes peaked, his side’s form dipped, meaning that supporters of the Hampshire club were not given a clear indication of what the Frenchman was about.

This campaign, it is been a slightly similar story at times with Ward-Prowse and Romeu still the clear favourites.

With the majority of appearances coming from the bench, Diallo has not quite had the platform to show exactly what he can do. Although, with limited minutes the former-Brest man popularity with the St Mary’s faithful is increasingly growing.

As Ward-Prowse’s form is peaking at the right time for the Saints, it is common knowledge that if the young French midfielder is to achieve a regular starting spot, he will have to take the place of Romeu, who has been consistently solid.

Squad depth, or a lack of it, has been a problem under the tenure of Ralph Hasenhuttl, however, this campaign the amount of options and their quality across the pitch has improved, with the midfield arguably being the best example of this.

The impressive cameos of Diallo will push Southampton’s first-choice duo to excel, otherwise, the Frenchman will come knocking.

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