Mario Lemina: focused on Southampton’s survival chances, not future whereabouts

Mario Lemina is focused on keeping Southampton up in the Premier League, not on his whereabouts for next season.

Lemina has been linked to moves away from the club after impressing on his Saints showings early on in the season - despite only signing for the club last summer from Juventus.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Gabon international Lemina said: “The club have given me everything to perform and I need to give back with all my heart to win the last three games.

“When you join a team I don’t think you can expect to try to fight to save yourself. We don’t talk about ourselves, we talk about the club and we just have to save the club.”

Lemina put in one of his best Southampton performances on Saturday, commanding the Saints midfield in a stirring 2-1 victory over South Coast neighbours AFC Bournemouth.

That win gives Southampton a fighting chance of surviving relegation from the Premier League and Lemina’s assist, which led to Dusan Tadic’s opening goal, most definitely helped.

Away from the pitch, Lemina is truly relishing the challenge Southampton face.

“After everyone can make a decision to stay or leave,” Lemina added. “This is not my problem, my only problem is to win the last few games and save the team. We have to save the club because it deserves to stay in the Premier League.

“This is my first time but I feel this moment is a challenge and we have to just play the next few games like a final. We just have to win.”

Next up for Saints is a tough away trip to Everton on Saturday evening, which is followed up by a must-win tie at Swansea City the following Tuesday. The season is finished by a home fixture against Premier League champions Manchester City.