Southampton’s one time record signing Sofiane Boufal has accused the club of having no plan when they signed him, causing his disappointing spell at the club.
Boufal has been speaking to L’Equipe about his career today. That includes discussing Southampton, were things did not go to plan.
The 32-year-old is currently playing his football at Le Havre in France after joining them on a free transfer in January. He had been at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise but saw his contract there terminated by mutual consent.
The French side are the latest club in what has been a varied career since leaving Southampton in 2020.
Post Southampton struggles
He has played for Angers SCO, Al‑Rayyan, Union SG and Le Havre in the six years since leaving Southampton.
The winger spent four years at Southampton after the club signed him for a then club‑record £16m in 2016, but he never lived up to that status during his time there.
Although he showed flashes of world‑class individual brilliance, a lack of consistent end product and occasional clashes with management undermined his impact.
Fans best remember him for two iconic solo goals: a long‑range curler against Sunderland and a stunning 85th‑minute solo effort against West Brom the following year. That strike was voted the Premier League’s goal of the season in 2018.
But overall, he would manage just five goals and five assists in 84 appearances in total, numbers far below those expected of a record signing.
Why Saints spell didn’t work out
He doesn’t take the blame for Southampton failure, though. Instead, he accuses Southampton of lacking a plan for him when he was signed.
“Of course I can say I missed out on something. If we’re only talking about pure football, I had the qualities to have a very successful career,” he said.
“But I could have done worse too. I had injuries. And you get what you deserve. I was too impulsive, like with my choices. Then, I was all alone in that crazy, shark-like world. But I don’t live with regrets.
“It didn’t work out at some clubs because I didn’t feel valued. At Southampton, I was the biggest signing in the club’s history, but there was no plan behind it.”
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