After Teden Mengi was linked to many Premier League opponents this week, Luton manager Rob Edwards declared that the former Manchester United defender “stays with us.”
Since joining from Old Trafford in August, the 21-year-old has been in incredible form. Although he was first brought in to provide competition for the team, he very quickly found himself lining up in the Hatters back three to take on some of the best players in the world after a number of injuries severely limited the club’s defensive options.
After being selected, though, Mengi has been outstanding. He scored his first goal as a senior in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace and established himself as a dependable member of the Hatters’ starting lineup. As a result, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Fulham and the Eagles were now keeping an eye on the situation involving the former England youth international. When questioned this afternoon about the speculations, Edwards responded, “It just shows that the lads are doing well.” Since joining, he’s played more games than we probably thought he would at first, but it’s been a revelation, in my opinion. He deserves to be starting the games because of the way he’s playing.
He’s developing into one of our most crucial players ahead of schedule. We anticipated this would occur in the long run, but you can understand why given how well the 21-year-old has performed against the world’s best players. He stays with us, though, and I get it. We place a great deal of importance on maintaining this group dynamic. No one quits unless we want them to, as Gary Sweet, CEO, reaffirmed to me.
Mengi played just eighteen games in all during his two stints at Pride Park and St Andrew’s due to hamstring problems he sustained while playing for the Red Devils and during prior loan moves to Birmingham City and Derby County when both teams were in the Championship. But since relocating to Bedfordshire, the defender seems to have resolved his problems; he has started Town’s last 11 league games, appearing for the Hatters on 15 occasions in all competitions, and growing stronger with each passing ninety minutes.
Edwards attributes that to his work outside of the game, saying, “We have a fantastic team, and he is really valued.” Our S&C (strength and conditioning) squad is excellent; Jared Roberts-Smith runs it exceptionally well, and T puts a lot of effort into his strength training. Although he has excellent body management, he may be susceptible to hamstring issues given his outstanding strength and quickness. He likes training and the equipment in the gym, which is why he is currently powerful and muscular. it’s because he truly values the other things, and he’s done a tremendous job with it, in my opinion.
