Diogo Dalot deserves his new deal but a part of him might have been quietly relieved to have been shown an act of faith from his manager.
The right-back was never destined for the exit door but after a stellar first half of the season, he has slipped behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order. Dalot played every game he was available for before the World Cup which comprised 20 starts.
Just 17 have followed in the 40 matches since then and five of those have been at left-back. He might have inked his signature on the dotted line that bit quicker on Wednesday as a result.
