Puel delight to see Saints’ academy produce again

Southampton’s academy has a history of producing extremely talented youngsters and Claude Puel hopes he may have found two more.

Jack Stephens, 22, and Josh Sims, 19, were both picked out by the Southampton boss after victory against Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

A Shane Long strike at Anfield, set up by replacement Sims, was enough to secure the club’s first League Cup final appearance since 1979 with a 2-0 aggregate success.

Meanwhile Stephens replaced Virgil van Dijk at the centre of the Saints defence and was resolute alongside Maya Yoshida which impressed Puel.

“Jack (Stephens) played very well, like an experienced player with good technique and he was calm,” he said.

“He was strong in the duels and I’m happy for him because he’s another player from the academy so congratulations to the trainers and the good work they keep doing for Southampton.

(PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

“It’s fantastic and at the end Josh Sims makes a good assist for Shane Long. All this is a good balance between experienced players and younger players.

“All the squad participated in this competition so it’s a good reward.”

The Saints face Manchester United or Hull, who have their semi-final on Thursday, at Wembley on February 26.