Ibrahima Diallo’s performances for Brest during the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season were enough to convince Southampton to invest on his signing in the summer of 2020.
The midfielder ended up making 22 appearances in his debut campaign in the Premier League and that included 10 starts.
Ralph Hasenhüttl handed the 23-year-old opportunities to start regularly for the Saints in the second half of the last term, when Oriol Romeu was sidelined with injury.
The former Chelsea man and James Ward-Prowse are regular figures in Southampton’s midfield and the situation has forced the Frenchman to settle for only seven league starts [19 appearances] this season.
Diallo is aware of the competition he has for a place in the English club’s starting lineup and is determined to fight for it.
“They are two experienced players. I had a lot of playing time when Romeu got injured. I’m looking to win more,” he told Nice-Matin.
“Coming here, I had no certainty. Oriol and James have been at the club for a long time and have a strong relationship with the manager. It’s up to me to continue to fight and make my mark.
“Whatever happens, this competition has made me, and will make me, progress. I do not think of a possible departure. I am fully focused on the end of the season.”
Diallo’s current deal at Southampton will expire in 2024 and he was asked whether his goal is to ‘see higher in the future’. 
Responding to that, the player said: “I don’t like to project myself too much. For the moment, I am still very, very far from being able to claim to aim higher.”
The former Ligue 1 man also shared his views on the Saints manager.
“He is quite reserved but lives for football. He has very good tactical ideas. We press very high and we make a lot of effort,” Diallo explained.
“That’s what I like. We could wait for the opponent because we are Southampton, but he always wants us to take risks. We are not afraid to play.”
