ROM IN KANTE CLASS

ORIOL ROMEU has been hailed as Southampton’s answer to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante by boss Claude Puel.

Chelsea reject Romeu, 25, has been one of Saints’ standout performers this season, earning admiring glances from another of his former employers Barcelona.

And Puel believes the Spaniard can become as good as newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year Kante.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s trip to Stamford Bridge, Puel said: “Kante brings the same qualities as Romeu does for us. He is not that far away from Kante.

“We can see the quality of his game since the beginning of the season. He is very consistent and in every game he gives a good performance.

“His play shows a good attitude. He is a very professional player and shows always good spirit in training and in games.

“He is very important for us. He is strong when we have the ball and is a good player with the ball. He learnt with Barcelona. He reads the game well and his passing and quality on the pitch is very important.”

After making his name playing under Luis Enrique for Barcelona’s B team, Romeu (right) spent four years at Stamford Bridge but failed to impress.

However, Puel claims the midfielder is finally living up to his potential thanks to Saints’ possession-based style of play.

The Frenchman added: “The game of Southampton is a little different to previous seasons. We try to start from the back and in this position Oriol is very important.

“He works hard to be available every time for his team-mates and start the play. He has good passes, good technique and good control.

“He is the perfect player to play this game.”

Romeu returns from a two-match ban but Puel admits it is unlikely crocked defender Virgil van Dijk will be able to play again this season due to his knee injury.