BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl heaped praise on Saints midfielder Oriol Romeu and said: “He’s one of the most professional guys I’ve ever seen.”

The Spanish star scored his first goal since February 2019 in the St Mary’s side’s 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion last time out – helping propel Hasenhuttl’s side to back-to-back league wins.

A £5million signing from Chelsea in August 2015, the 29-year-old has gone on to play 194 times for Saints in all competitions, scoring on six occasions.

Romeu, an unused substitute during the 2012 Champions League final, is set to head back to face the Blues this weekend when Hasenhuttl prepares his side to take on Frank Lampard’s men at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (3pm).

And, speaking about midfielder Romeu, the Saints boss admits he would struggle to find someone with a better work-ethic.

Asked about working with the Ulldecona-born star, Hasenhuttl said: “I have never seen a professional like him before in my entire managing career.

“He’s one of the most professional guys I’ve ever seen.

“When you see him as a professional, how he reacts when he’s not first choice, it’s unbelievable.

“He’s always the first on the pitch, always hard working. I think for this, they love him here.”

Romeu has started all of Saints’ competitive fixtures alongside skipper James Ward-Prowse this season.

French midfielder Ibrahima Diallo has completed a £12million move from Ligue 1 outfit Brest to increase competition in midfield.

But Austrian boss Hasenhuttl values what Romeu brings to his team.

The manager added: “He’s sometimes under the radar because he makes the work nobody wants to do - closing the gaps, closing the space, running behind the ball, winning duels, being everywhere.

“When he is in the moment when he can score, it is unbelievable for him.

“Since lockdown, he has played some fantastic games since then.

“We need more than two sixes, that is for sure.”