'He's extraordinary': Star tipped for big Prem move just weeks after leaving Southampton
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The irony will not have been lost on Southampton supporters as a player who left St Mary’s over the summer continues to outshine those who remained at Russell Martin’s disposal.
A week ago, former England internationals Danny Murphy and Darren Bent said what even optimistic Saints supporters were fearing when they cast doubt on the attacking options available to the Premier League newcomers.
Can Adam Armstrong, Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer – despite the latter’s well-taken goal against Arsenal on Saturday – really find the net regularly enough to keep Southampton safe from the drop?
Martin is keen to hand a fresh chance to Southampton misfit Paul Onuachu too. But can a man so prolific in Belgium and Turkey find some form at last in England?
Southampton failed with a £17.5 million deal to sign Brazil international Yuri Alberto over the summer, and will that be a missed opportunity that becomes something of a ‘what could have been?’ moment later down the line.
The flying start Che Adams has made to life in Italy, meanwhile, adds insult to injury.
Che Adams is flying in Serie A after Southampton exit
Adams joined Torino on a free transfer after he reportedly turned down a new contract on the banks of the Solent.
And, with three goals and an assist in just four Serie A starts so far, Adams is proving to Granada director Davide Vagnati that the wait was most certainly worth it.
"I had been following him in the Premier League and tried to sign him last January, attempting to get ahead of the competition,” Vagnati now tells reporters. “However, [Southampton] asked for a lot of money.
“I worked to make the player understand that a step in Italy could be good for him
Vagnati accepts that Adams’ time at Torino may be a little short lived.
He feels that a return to English football could be on the cards, should the former Sheffield United and Birmingham City attacker maintain his near goal-a-game average.
“[Adams’ form can lead to] a return to the Premier League, or even bigger clubs. He has great qualities,” adds Vagnati. "He played a lot in the Premier League, not just the second division. I think he is extraordinary.
“We worked hard to bring him here to Turin. He also has the quality to play for big clubs. He has strength, technique, and the ability to be well-liked in the locker room. This gives him confidence and he is a driving force.
“Let’s hope he continues like this.”
Russell Martin delighted with Saints display against Arsenal
Southampton are one of two sides who have accumulated a single point from their first seven games, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers.
No team in the division has scored fewer than their four goals, either, with Archer’s first Saints strike quickly cancelled out by a thumping Kai Havertz finish as a Bukayo Saka-inspired Arsenal roared back after a brief scare at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm really proud of so much of the performance. First-half, the willingness to fight, to run, to defend, to be aggressive, to double up and help your mate, was brilliant," Martin told a post-match press conference, again ruing the chances his team wasted before Arsenal took control.
"At half time I just asked for a bit more willingness to take the ball, a bit more courage to really play, and we did that in the second half in abundance.
"We had some brilliant moments. We hit the bar, we hit the post, we score a good goal, a couple of balls across the six-yard box.
“Some really great moments, which not many teams have at Arsenal.”
