Sunday 5 October 2014 08:49, UK
Sky Sports caught up with Southampton full-back Ryan Bertrand to discuss their flying start, Ronald Koeman's impact, his England ambitions and how hard work is paying off at St Mary's.
Bertrand, speaking at the launch of EA SPORTS FIFA 15, was fresh from scoring his first Premier League goal last weekend, having helped Southampton make their best start to a top-flight campaign for 31 years.
At the time of our chat, Ronald Koeman's side were sitting second in the table and three points behind leaders Chelsea. Many outsiders had tipped them to struggle after a wave of summer departures, but Bertrand believes they are getting their just rewards.
Congratulations on the start to the season, you must be delighted with how it’s gone…
Yeah, everyone has been buzzing to get off to the start we’ve had but we will take it game by game.
Have you set any targets for this season?
I think as long as we apply ourselves right and to the best of our abilities, we’ll just take it game by game and see where that takes us.
Are you surprised in a way it’s gone as well as it has so far considering all the changes this summer?
We’ve done very well to get to second but it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me having been on the inside of the club. I got to see all the players that they brought in first hand and they brought in some amazing players. It’s just about us transferring that onto the pitch and we should do that.
How much of an impact has Ronald Koeman had?
Massive. I like his style of football, the way he runs the club, the boys and the team – it has been fantastic to be a part of. I think everyone is managing to express themselves and show the best of their ability.
Did he have a big influence on you joining?
Definitely. The pedigree he’s had as a player and a manager was reassuring for me personally, knowing that I can come and play well and express myself.
Was it regular football which persuaded you to join Southampton? As you were linked with quite a few clubs this summer…
Yeah, definitely. Just to play regular football and play it in a style that I think is hopefully best suited to my game.
You still have three years remaining on your contract at Chelsea, do you see a future for yourself there?
I’ve not really thought about it, it’s just about getting that consistency out there playing. We’ll cross that bridge one day.
Have you got hopes of getting back into the England squad this year?
It is every English player’s aim to play well enough for your club and then hopefully get that recognition and transfer it onto the international side. Playing for and representing your country is the pinnacle of football.
Your team-mate Nathaniel Clyne was called up for the first time this week, do you think he can make an impression?
He’ll go in there and be a strong contender to make the right back position his own.
You scored your first Premier League goal in last weekend’s 2-1 win over QPR, how did that feel?
It was fantastic to get the small rewards for the hard work. All the boys around me have been working really hard together as a team and individually, but to get goal was the icing on the cake really.
And what about that winning goal from Graziano Pelle… Does he do that sort of thing in training?
Yeah. He’s not just a typical target man, he’s got fantastic feet. He’s good technically and he always seems to pop up with good finishes.
The new players seem to have settled in really quick, how far can this Southampton team go?
We’re going to win the league…! (Laughs) No, like I said, the club has done well to bring in the group of players that it has. With respect to the players, no-one has got any egos. Everyone’s in there every day working hard, trying to impress and trying to improve our game. We’re getting our rewards.
Was it true the players turned down a day off and had a training session instead?
Yeah, last Wednesday after the Capital One Cup game against Arsenal. I think we had a day off after the weekend and it just didn’t feel needed to be honest, we’d rather be in there. It put us in better shape for the weekend and hopefully that benefitted us.
You’re promoting the new FIFA 15 game, is it popular among the lads at Southampton?
We’ve been waiting ages for this game, I’ll be playing the boys on my Xbox. We haven’t had a tournament between ourselves but I’m sure we’ll be playing on the bus to away games.
Ryan Bertrand was speaking at the launch of EA SPORTS FIFA 15, out NOW on Xbox One, PS4 and all other platforms. Pick up your copy from www.easports.com/uk/fifa/buy #FEELTHEGAME
