Mads Roerslev makes exciting promise to Southampton fans ahead of Portsmouth derby clash

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Mads Roerslev left Premier League Brentford for Southampton this summer, and the defender is hoping for an instant return to the top flight.

Following the international break, Southampton host Portsmouth in an eagerly anticipated South Coast derby this weekend.

Under summer appointment Will Still, Southampton have made a solid start to the Championship season, but have won only one of their first four league outings.

Portsmouth sit above the Saints in the table after two wins from their first four, and a draw against promotion hopefuls West Brom.

Still knows Portsmouth will be tough for Southampton, and summer signing Mads Roerslev is relishing the challenge he admits will be a “very big” affair.

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Southampton star Mads Roerslev wants promotion to Premier League

Towards the end of the window, Southampton signed Danish international full-back Roerslev from top flight Brentford on a four-year contract.

Roerslev featured 146 times for the Bees since arriving from FC Copenhagen in 2019, and has since impressed at Southampton.

The Dane played three games in a week for Southampton between signing and the international break, notching an assist during the Saints’ 3-0 win over Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.

Next on the agenda for Roerslev is his first South Coast derby clash, and ahead of the fixture, he has made clear his ambitions for Premier League promotion this season.

Roerslev told the Southern Daily Echo: “I just thought that this would be a very good opportunity for me. Southampton is such a big club that belongs in the Premier League.

“I’m going all in on this. I don’t have any doubt that we can’t achieve this. We can get back to the Premier League. Everything can happen in football.

On the upcoming derby, Roerslev added: “I’ve heard that this is a very big one! I’ve obviously never experienced it myself, but I know that it means a lot to the fans.

“I know how much it means to the club and also for the players. I know it will be fired up, so I’m looking forward to experiencing it.”

A victory over arch-rivals Pompey could be the beginning of a momentum-building run for Southampton on their quest for promotion, and Still knows that Roerslev will be imperative to that.

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Mads Roerslev will be key for Will Still in Southampton’s season

After an injury to Brazilian full-back Wellington, the addition of Roerslev will prove to be even more important for Still’s defensive options.

Still heaped praise on the Dane after his first 90 minutes in a Saints shirt during the cup win over the Canaries, in which he provided the assist for Kuryu Matsuki’s strike.

Still told Southampton’s media about Roerslev: “I think he’s very calm, he’s got that know-how and experience of the Championship.

“He has his energy, that quality of ball into the box. You can see he’s been working on his set pieces quite a lot with Thomas Frank.

“(I’m )Really impressed with him so far. We’ve got ourselves a very good player.”

With Roerslev set to retain his starting Southampton role at right-back, the Dane is poised for a difficult afternoon against in-demand Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy, who is still searching for his first goal of the season after notching seven last term.