Southampton may have one major Adam Armstrong regret after Blackburn deal: View | OneFootball

Adam Armstrong has been one of the key protagonists for Southampton this season, as the Saints aim to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The former Blackburn Rovers man has netted 20 times in 42 league games for the south coast side in the current campaign, leaving them four points off the automatic promotion places with four matches remaining.

A further 13 assists has seen the striker involved in close to 40% of his side’s goals this season, and underlines his pivotal role in Russell Martin’s plans in the final third.

After constantly finding the back of the net in each of his last three seasons in the Championship, it begs the question why he wasn’t used as much at St Mary’s in the Premier League after his big money move from Rovers in 2021.

Adam Armstrong goalscoring record for Blackburn Rovers and Southampton

After making a name for himself for the likes of Coventry City and Barnsley while on loan from Newcastle United, Armstrong eventually sealed a deal to move to Ewood Park in the summer of 2018, although it took him a while to start firing in the blue and white shirt.

When he did start finding the net, he couldn’t stop, with 16 goals in the 19/20 season followed by 28 the following campaign, leaving a number of clubs clamouring over his signature in the summer after.

It was Saints that got their hands on him for a reported £15 million fee, but it has taken this long for him to fully be appreciated at St Mary’s after two seasons of stop-start runs in the side.

Despite scoring on his debut in a 3-1 defeat to Everton, Armstrong only started 17 matches in the top flight in his first season at the club, mustering just two goals in the process.

Over half of his appearances the next season were also from the bench, which must have left the attacker questioning his choices to make the move to the big time, with his form in front of goal suffering as a result.

It was a season of turmoil for Saints in the previous campaign, with Ralph Hassenhuttl, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles all having stints in the dugout during a doomed relegation campaign, and it was obvious the latter two were still trying to figure out their best team on the hoof.

That resulted in Armstrong facing more and more time on the bench, with cameo appearances his only chance to make an impression in the game; meaning his only league goals of the season came in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea and a 4-4 draw with Liverpool.

With the likes of Theo Walcott and Kamaldeen Sulemana starting in his place, the frustration must have been growing for the striker, who must have been champing at the bit to make an impression when he was introduced.

Adam Armstrong proves pivotal for Southampton FC Championship promotion push

Finally, Martin has seen sense after taking the reins at St Mary’s in the summer, and has utilised the forward to devastating effect in the Championship once again, with his 33 goal contributions a league-best at this moment in time, with Sammie Szmodics his nearest challenger on 28.

Whether it is being played straight through the middle or from a wider attacking berth, the 27-year-old’s pace and direct approach has caused all manner of second tier defences to be running scared this campaign, with Saints reaping the rewards.

Time and time again the forward has earned his side crucial victories in the battle at the top, with a 22-game unbeaten run either side of Christmas catapulting them back into the conversation for the automatic slots.

You don’t lose the ability to slow the ball into the back of the net overnight, and Armstrong is showing that right now, which must leave both player and club resenting two seasons of missed opportunities in the top flight.