Armel Bella-Kotchap made a strong debut for PSV Eindhoven. The ex-Bochum player received praise from his coach.
In the last transfer period, Armel Bella-Kotchap was linked with FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, but in the end a return to the Bundesliga did not materialise.
Instead, the former VfL Bochum talent moved to Dutch top club PSV Eindhoven, where Bella-Kotchap made his debut at the weekend – and received words of praise from coach Peter Bosz for his performance.
“Armel has made a very good impression on me so far,” Bosz said after Saturday’s 4-0 home win over NEC Nijmegen, according to Voetbal International. The 21-year-old was part of the starting eleven and defended in the centre of defence alongside former Leverkusen man André Ramalho. Bella-Kotchap was substituted after just over an hour.
“I asked Armel to just play and told him that he doesn’t have to show everyone that he has a good long ball,” Bosz said after the game. “Especially in our football you have to be able to play modestly as a centre-back.” And Bella-Kotchap obviously managed to do that
Two-man strength, speed, positional play – with these attributes the German international convinced his new coach against Nijmegen. “He is football intelligent,” summarised the former Dortmund Bosz.
And Bella-Kotchap himself? He raved about a “great atmosphere” in which the fans gave him the feeling of “being at home”. A successful debut, then, for the 1.90-metre defender, who matured into a professional at VfL Bochum and moved to Southampton FC over a year ago for around eleven million euros.
Champions League debut for Bella-Kotchap?
Bella-Kotchap was a starter for the English side for most of last season. He managed to earn a nomination for the World Cup in Qatar, but was unable to avoid relegation from the Premier League. This summer, a move to the Bundesliga fell through and Southampton loaned Bella-Kotchap to Eindhoven shortly before the transfer deadline.
Bella-Kotchap could soon celebrate another premiere with the Dutch side: his debut in the Champions League. PSV plays host to FC Arsenal on Wednesday evening. Judging by the words of praise from coach Bosz, Bella-Kotchap should fancy his chances of making his next appearance.