Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu says manager Ronald Koeman was a key factor in his decision to join the Saints from Chelsea on a three-year deal.
The 23-year-old Spaniard, who joined the Blues in 2011 but spent the last two seasons out on loan, said speaking to Koeman convinced him that the Saints were the right club to join.
“I think it’s good to have a coach who wants to play football and do the right things,” Romeu, who came through Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, told the club website.
“When I spoke with him, he more or less told me exactly what I was looking for and the style of play I’ve been looking for.
“That’s what I was looking for when I came here -- a coach like him who can teach me a lot. He knows life as a player, and it will be very good for me to work under Ronald Koeman.”
Romeu also revealed he spoke to compatriot and fellow Southampton new boy Juanmi before making the switch.
“He spoke to me perfectly about everything. He’s only been here a couple of months but it’s good for me to know someone in the dressing room to make sure I settle in quickly,” Romeu said.
Romeu hopes to be involved when Southampton host Everton at St Mary’s on Saturday in their first home game of the season.
“I can tell you that I’m really excited. I want to start training and to show to everyone that I’m ready and also to show my teammates that they have a good player next to them,” he said.
Elsewhere Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri, who joined Stoke City for a club record fee this week, said he is fully fit and ready to make his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend if manager Mark Hughes gave him the nod.
Shaqiri signed a five-term deal at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday after the Potters agreed a £12 million fee with Serie A giants Inter Milan.
"I can't wait to play my first game here because I am feeling really fit," the 23-year-old, who has also played for Bayern Munich, told the club's website.
“I have done a lot of good quality work throughout the summer with my last team so I am feeling good and strong.
“The coach will make the final decision though, but first of all I need to meet my new teammates and work with them in training. I can‘t wait to play and score goals for this club.“
Hughes said Shaqiri is “flying“ fit, but would not be drawn on whether his star signing would feature at the weekend.
Shaqiri, who was part of the Bayern Munich squad that won the Champions League in 2013-14, said Stoke could improve on last season‘s ninth place finish -- the club‘s best-ever end to a Premier League campaign.
“I was at the game (against Liverpool) on Sunday, as you know, and I really enjoyed the game -- it was good. Yes, Stoke lost the game in the end, but I saw things that really encouraged me,“ he said.
“I am sure that we will continue to play good football and win many games, and who knows maybe we can finish in a higher position than last season. The potential is absolutely huge here.”
