Southampton defender Jose Fonte is delighted with his form this season.

Fonte believes this season has been the best he has ever produced, and he puts that down to the arrival of the manager, Mauricio Pochettino, who was a centre-half for Argentina in his playing days.

"Yes, definitely (this is my best ever season)," Fonte told the Daily Echo.

"I think since the manager came, since Mauricio took over, he made me a better player. That's the truth.

"He made me a better player and I feel good, I feel confident. Physically, I'm in the best shape of my life, so I feel like this has been my best season so far.

"He gives a lot of emphasis to the defensive line. Tactically he's very, very good.

"He gives you a lot of advice in terms of positioning, in terms of aggressivity, anticipation, interceptions, play, be brave, and he gives you the confidence to go on the pitch and give everything for him."