Charlie Austin reveals the ex-Southampton player that everyone in the team hated | OneFootball

The former Saints striker didn't hold back when talking about one of his former teammates

Former Southampton striker Charlie Austin hasn't held back when giving his thoughts on former St Mary's colleague, Wesley Hoedt.

Austin was one of several high-profile names to feature for the South Coast outfit during an 11-year period of unbroken Premier League campaigns following back-to-back promotions through League One and the Championship between 2010 and 2012, although the club have since struggled to re-establish themselves among the elite of English football.

Since his last spell in the EFL during a second stint with Swindon Town, which ended at the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign, the forward has become a prominent figure on social media and a part of the 'prime Barclays' and 'streets won't forget' phenomenons that have swept through the world of online football fandom in recent times.

With the 36-year-old overseeing plenty of experiences throughout his career, which peaked at the likes of Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and the Saints during the mid-to-late 2010s, supporters of those clubs and EFL onlookers in general - such is his reputation as a recent Championship and, somewhat, Premier League cult hero - have seen plenty of those revealed in recent times.

However, appearing as a guest on Undr The Cosh's most recent podcast alongside ex-Barnsley and Preston North End man Jon Parkin and former Sunderland forward, Chris Brown, Austin pulled no punches when discussing his recollections of the Dutch defender during their time as colleagues with the Hampshire outfit.

After scoring freely during his time in West London, Austin moved to Southampton for £4m in January 2016 under Ronald Koeman, with the club eventually earning a spot in the UEFA Europa League at the end of the campaign with a sixth-place finish.

As a result, the striker featured alongside the likes of Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mané prior to their moves to Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, as well as eventually being captained by future two-time Premier League winner, Virgil van Dijk.

Following Koeman's departure to Everton and the dismissal of Claude Puel, Austin's third Saints boss, Mauricio Pellegrino, conducted a squad overhaul that yielded very little success, with Hoedt joining from Lazio on a four-year deal for £15m.

The Alkmaar-born man would go on to make just 45 appearances for the Reds, with Austin stating that he also wasn't a popular member of the dressing room whatsoever.

"They brought Wesley Hoedt in. He's a wally him," Austin claimed. "He was a wally, mate.

"I remember, he annoyed the lads at the Southampton.

"I was sat in the swimming pool area and I said to him, 'Wes, how have you turned 24 lads against you? 24 lads don't like you.

"He was like 'but 25 are in the team', and I said 'yes, but you're the 20 ****ing 5th mate!'

"You know what the Dutch are, they're very firm and arrogant in the way they are," the striker stated. "But, he was just too much, the lads thought he was a ****, and he thought he was way better than what he was."

Southampton and Watford supporters will share mixed opinions on Charlie Austin's Wesley Hoedt verdict

Based off Austin's verdict and a distinct lack of appearances during his four-year stay at Southampton before moving to Anderlecht, it is clear that Hoedt didn't leave the greatest of impressions on supporters either, who are likely to forget any of his contributions.

However, those of a Watford persuasion will be somewhat perplexed by such viewpoints, with the six-time Dutch international proving a shrewd signing for the Hertfordshire outfit for just £1.5m in January 2023.

During his only full season at Vicarage Road, the 31-year-old was named as the club's Player of the Season and also received the Goal of the Season award for a remarkable effort in a 2-1 win against Hull City at the MKM Stadium.

After leaving England for the second time, Hoedt now features for Al-Shabab of the Saudi Pro League, who have recently confirmed the signing of ex-Burnley midfielder, Josh Brownhill.