Claude Puel fears Zlatan Ibrahimovic could kill Southampton’s EFL Cup final dream.. even though striker ‘doesn’t run a lot’
CLAUDE PUEL fears Zlatan Ibrahimovic can kill Saints’ cup fairytale, even though “he doesn’t run a lot”.
Manchester United’s super Swede, 35, has already bagged 24 goals in his debut season in English football.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic poses a threat to Saints in the EFL Cup finalGetty Images
Southampton rookie defender Jack Stephens will have the job of trying to keep him quiet in Sunday’s EFL Cup final.
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And Saints boss Puel warned: “Ibra is clinical, very efficient and also gives authority to the team.
“He doesn’t run a lot but always makes a good run. He is very self-confident, is a strong man and a strong strike partner.”
Saints boss Claude Puel fears Ibra could ruin his Wembley dreamsPA:Press AssociationIbrahimovic netted a hat-trick against St Etienne in the Europa LeagueReuters
Frenchman Puel is not surprised at how well Ibra settled in England having watched him star for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.
He said: “He is a character player. In the French league he was fantastic but all the people said, ‘Ok, it is France — it is not the English Premier League’.
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“But he has come here, is 35 and is doing a fantastic job. The hat-trick against Saint-Etienne confirms it.”
The man with the daunting task of stopping Ibrahimovic is Devon lad Stephens, 23.
Saints defender Jack Stephens is the man who will have to stop IbraGetty Images
He has played just ten first-team games for Southampton and this time last year was playing League One football on loan at Coventry.
Saints are dreaming of lifting a first major trophy since their 1976 FA Cup triumph — ironically against United.
And Puel, 55, said: “There’s lots of attention on Jack and all our young players. They must stay calm and just focus.
“Of course, we respect United but don’t fear them. It’s a good challenge for us.”
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