Toby Alderweireld: 'Ronald Koeman's confidence swayed my move to Southampton'

Toby Alderweireld has revealed that manager Ronald Koeman swayed his decision to join Southampton from Atletico Madrid in the summer.

The 25-year-old opted to move to St Mary's on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid and it has proved to be a good decision so far with the Saints second in the Premier League table.

"We had a good conversation [in August] and he said 'yeah, no problem, if you want to join us we will be taking you', so for me it was very good," the Daily Echo quotes Alderweireld as saying. "Footballers need confidence. That's the most important thing, and that's what he gave me."

"Of course, some people asked me before, 'iIs Southampton the right decision?' Now they say 'yeah, good decision!'"

Southampton have won eight, drawn one and lost two in the league so far, which has left them seven points behind leaders Chelsea.