Bella-Kotchap: "I was very surprised, but also very happy"
Former Bochum star Armel Bella-Kotchap has really impressed Hansi Flick at Southampton and surprisingly earned a call up to the national team.
Center-back Armel Bella-Kotchap moved from Bochum to Southampton for €11 million this summer and has quickly become their standout defender this season. The 20-year-old's rapid ascent to one of the top young defenders in world football has caught the attention of Germany coach Hansi Flick, who even nominated Bella-Kotchap to the national team for their September fixtures.
Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhüttl stated to 'kicker' that, "He has shown the most constant performances of all my players so far. - (I'm) surprised how quickly he got used to the league."
At the national team's hotel in Frankfurt, Bella-Kotchap told reporters he had no clue who was calling when Flick broke the news: "I didn't know the number. I was very surprised, but also very happy."
After only 28 games of first division football played in his career, Bella-Kotchap is now likely to receive a chance to play in the World Cup.