Puel backs Saints defender Stephens to hold his own against Ibrahimovic

Southampton boss Claude Puel insists he has full confidence in defender Jack Stephens as he prepares to face Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Sunday’s EFL Cup final.

The Saints are without Virgil van Dijk for their Wembley showdown with Manchester United, with Stephens set to be handed the task of marking the Swedish superstar.

Stephens has made just 11 appearances in all competitions this season, having spent last season out on loan at Middlesbrough and Coventry.

But despite his lack of first team experience, Puel insists the 23-year-old is more than capable of getting the job done.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“We’ll see if Jack starts this game. But for me of course I’m confident with the player, with the squad,” he said.

“I saw at our training camp in Spain very good concentration, very good spirit, quality in the training sessions.

“There was big attention from Jack and all these young players. They stay calm and just focus about what they can have to do.

“All the players can play in my team against Ibrahimovic. They know him now. We will give a good answer.”

During his time as manager of French team Lille, Puel was no stranger to Ibrahimovic’s dominance on the pitch, then at PSG.

And while questions were asked as to how the striker would adapt to life in English football, Puel insists he had no such concerns.

“I know Ibrahimovic very well from the French Premier League so I cannot be surprised by him,” he said.

“In France he was a fantastic player but all the people say ‘Okay, it is the French Premier League and not the English one’.

“But he has come here, he is 35 and he can do a fantastic job, fantastic work. He is clinical, very efficient and also he gives a good authority to the team. He is a character player.”