PUEL SAYS BOUFAL IS EDEN TO THE VERY TOP

CLAUDE PUEL says Southampton’s record signing Sofiane Boufal can pile on the relegation pressure for Hull today – as the midfielder can become as good as Eden Hazard.

The Saints boss discovered Chelsea superstar Hazard as a 16-year-old when he was manager of Lille. Boufal, 23, (right) has struggled in his first Premier League season following a £17million move from the French club last summer.

But Puel said: “I think Boufal can have the same potential as Eden.

“Eden found the good balance early in his career. At 16, it was the same with his capacity to keep consistency and focus. He can make the difference and is a good player. And I think Sofiane can get this balance. “It’s important to be patient with Sofiane and to encourage him to dribble, but sometimes it’s also important to play simple.”