Having looked almost certain to be spending next season in the Championship after a poor return to life in the second tier, Southampton have launched themselves into promotion contention, and have one player to thank more than most.
Upon their return to the Championship this campaign after a disastrous year in the Premier League, just narrowly beating Derby County’s lowest-ever top-flight points tally, Southampton targeted bouncing back on their first attempt.
Will Still was entrusted with guiding the Saints into a new era, having shone in Belgium and France previously, and headed to Hampshire for his first role as a head coach in his native England.
However, his time at the helm lasted a mere 16 games, winning just four of those, as he was sacked and replaced by Tonda Eckert, who was previously the club’s Under-21’s boss.
Little was known about the German following his appointment, though his reputation has blown up ever since, being currently unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions, guiding the club into the top-six and into the FA Cup semi-final.
Still’s time on the South Coast pales in comparison to that of Eckert’s at this stage, though his work in the transfer market has been a silver lining in an otherwise disastrous spell.
Southampton netted £42 million from Tyler Dibling’s sale to Everton
It was a busy summer on the South Coast, which saw an array of incomings and outgoings through the doors at St Mary’s.
The likes of Mateus Fernandes joined West Ham United, Kamaldeen Sulemana travelled to Bergamo to join Atalanta, whilst Jan Bednarek joined Portuguese giants FC Porto.
However, in what looks like an inspired piece of business is the sale of Tyler Dibling to Everton, with Southampton collecting upwards of £42 million for the England youth international.
The 20-year-old was one of the brightest lights in a dark season for the Saints as they were relegated from the Premier League, and as the summer rolled around, so did Premier League interest.
Dibling made his intentions to leave the club clear when he pulled out of first-team training to force through a move to the top-flight. Though, since moving to Merseyside, he has failed to make the desired impact.
With just 14 league appearances since his arrival and just one minute of Premier League football in the past eight games he has been available for, it would be to suggest that Dibling has yet to impress manager David Moyes since joining Everton.
The winger has failed to directly contribute to a goal involvement in all competitions since his arrival, having failed to offer strong enough competition from the flanks to the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish, or Dwight McNeil, who are all firmly ahead of him in the current pecking order.
Still only 20, time is certainly on Dibling’s side to turn his Everton career around, though Southampton will be laughing to the bank over the deal, especially with their replacement possibly spearheading their return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
What do you make of Tyler Dibling’s sale to Everton and subsequent signing of Leo Scienza? Share your thoughts below!
Leo Scienza’s signing from FC Heidenheim as a replacement for Tyler Dibling has been an excellent piece of business for Southampton
Brazilian winger Leo Scienza joined the Saints from German side FC Heidenheim in the summer in a deal worth between €8-10 million (£6.9-7.8 million), and has been worth every penny.
A slow start to life on the South Coast had some doubting whether his signing was worth the money, and whether he was the right person to replace Dibling on the flank.
It didn’t take long thereafter to silence those critics.
No player has created more big chances than the 27-year-old in the Championship this season, whilst no player has been fouled more than him, as per FotMob, indicating his confidence and ability to run at the opposition and draw fouls for his side.
With seven goals and eight assists as things stand, including important strikes against the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, and Derby County, Scienza’s importance to the side has been evident, especially across this unbeaten run.
Unsurprisingly, Premier League clubs have begun circling for his signature, with both Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly interested in Scienza this summer should Southampton not achieve promotion.
In any case, the Brazilian will either help to fire the Saints back to the top-flight, or they will collect a big profit on him after just one year of service.
Considering they sold Dibling for nearly five times the amount they signed Scienza for, Still should be lauded for his transfer nous on this occasion, as this deal may well be looked back on years to come as one of Southampton’s very best.
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