Southampton are looking to return to the Premier League as quickly as possible, with new manager Will Still looking to guide them there this season.
While they could be set to lose Tyler Dibling and Matheus Fernandes to Premier League sides, Saints’ frontline remains one of their biggest strengths, even though their strikers haven’t scored in the Championship this season.
Southampton FC players celebrate scoring
Image courtesy of: DYLAN MARTINEZ/REUTERS.
Adam Armstrong, Ross Stewart, and Cameron Archer are all competing for the striker position, while new addition Damion Downs will also be looking for minutes at centre forward.
This leaves little space for young strikers to join the first-team, even if they have impressed in the academy or out on loan. Dom Ballard – a 20-year-old striker – looks set for a move away from Southampton this summer, with several League One clubs interested.
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Ballard has spent time on loan at Reading, Blackpool and Cambridge United, and the Royals have been looking at a potential return after he scored five goals in just 12 appearances.
However, the Daily Echo have now reported that Reading will be rivalled by Barnsley, Plymouth Argyle and Leyton Orient for Ballard, with just over a week left until the transfer window closes.
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More young talent to leave Southampton
Southampton have long been a club with a reputation that sells their best players and then reinvests the money into more young talent, with the best examples being Virgil Van Dijk and Sadio Mane.
However, while selling talented players can help make them a sustainable club, it could hamper their chances of achieving promotion back to the Premier League, especially if they sell those players this summer.
Southampton boss Will Still
Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULRIDGE/REUTERS.
Dibling impressed last season, but for his development, a season in the Championship could help him grow as a player, and he would play a crucial role in Southampton’s promotion charge. The Saints rejected a £27m offer for the young winger, but a move before the transfer window could still happen, as he only played eight minutes in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town.
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Like Fernandes, the English winger appears to be gradually reintegrated into Still’s first-team squad, but their futures remain uncertain.
Striker signing crucial for Plymouth Argyle
Despite targeting an immediate return to the Championship, Plymouth Argyle began the League One campaign without a natural centre forward, as Caleb Watts – a natural midfield player – led the line for Tom Cleverley’s side.
Plymouth Argyle’s natural strikers
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PAFC have lost every game in League One, including a 2-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers, who have also struggled in front of goal this season.
With just one goal coming from open play so far, Cleverley will be crying out for a new centre forward, so he finally has someone on the end of the chances his side are creating. Southampton talent Ballard could be exactly the man he needs.
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