NATHAN Tella praised Burnley manager Vincent Kompany for his coaching insight and insists starting football matches regularly “brings a smile to my face”.

The 23-year-old forward is enjoying his first loan spell away from Saints in the Championship at Lancashire outfit Burnley, scoring three goals in eight league matches.

Tella signed a brand-new contract at Saints only back in January and is tied down to the St Mary’s club until summer 2025, with his future still likely to lie there.

However, former Arsenal academy ace Tella admitted now he has got a taste for starting matches week-in week-out, he does not want that to stop.

“I’m loving it, it’s a feeling which I’ve not had much of but now I’ve had it I want to cotinine it and keep doing the right things,” he said.

“Whatever role it is, it brings a smile to my face. I feel like I could have scored more, in a couple instances. Against Millwall I think I had about six shots and somehow didn’t score.

“In other games, I’ve had chances as well. So I could easily be on double figures, but the fact is the team is doing well and I’m doing well so we take the positives,” Tella added.

The Saints ace is working with Premier League legend and former Manchester City captain Kompany, who is himself taking up his first management job in England.

The Belgian has currently guided Burnley to fourth in the Championship table, with automatic promotion the aim by May.

“He’s very good, he has a big attention to detail which has surprised me because sometimes there is things I’ll see but not know how to relay the information across,” Tella continued.

“But he’ll break it down in stages and that really helps me understand the game and the position I need to be in. At the moment, it’s making me look good so I’ll keep listening to what he’s saying.”

Tella has become an instant hit with the supporters for his direct play, silky touches and loveable personality that also made him hugely popular in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s dressing room.

The endearment has also landed him a new nickname in the Tella family home.

“Now my parents have watched the games, they all call me ‘Nathan Tella baby’,” he admitted, after the chant the Turf Moor faithful have been singing.

“It’s good, I feel like as a new player you want to earn the trust of your teammates and manager but to earn the trust of fans as well is something that can be hard to do.

“To come in straight away and give the fans a reason to be excited is great and gives me confidence, makes me happy and makes me smile.”

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