Southampton’s Dutch defender Wesley Hoedt says it has been tough to adjust to the “madness” of the Premier League but after flirting with relegation last season is confident better times are ahead.

Hoedt moved to the Saints from Serie A club Lazio last August and the first situation he had to deal with was the drawn-out exit of compatriot Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool.

Van Dijk was close to leaving during the close-season but did not make the switch until January despite having put in a transfer request in August.

“I have to be honest, it was strange. The things that were said to me when I signed were different to the things that happened,” Hoedt told reporters.

“That is sometimes how it is. To me, they said he would be staying. Eventually he did stay but in a strange way. It was difficult but those are the kind of…