Southampton FC must resist transfer interest in £10m star – He could explode under Will Still | OneFootball

Southampton must ensure that youngster Samuel Edozie stays this summer so that he can explode under Will Still.

As Southampton prepare for a return to the Championship, they will be looking to quickly construct a squad that is capable of immediately bouncing back and returning to the Premier League.

There remains a fair bit of uncertainty as to what the makeup will be of the Southampton squad when the new season kicks into gear, with several players not expected to be plying their trade in the second-tier of English football.

However, one player where it is imperative that Saints stave off interest is young winger Samuel Edozie, who is the reported subject of interest from Club Brugge.

Edozie moved to St. Mary’s whilst they were still in the Premier League in a reported £10 million move from Manchester City and, albeit he was a part of the first-team squad in the top-flight, he was on the fringes for large parts.

In the Championship he was again perhaps on the fringes to some extent, but more involved and certainly made some vital contributions to their eventual play-off winning campaign by scoring six goals despite not being a regular starter under Russell Martin.

Now, after a loan spell in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League at Anderlecht, Edozie is likely be a matured asset that could be valuable in the Championship, and he is ready to explode.

Sam Edozie could explode under Will Still at Southampton in 24/25

Southampton’s ownership group Sport Republic have often been criticised for their almost scatter-gun approach at bringing in what they deem to be some of the brightest talents, most likely to then be eventually sold on at a profit.

It has proven to be successful in that regard off the pitch, most notably with the sale of Romeo Lavia to Chelsea, but it has also resulted in two Premier League relegations in three seasons.

However, at the age of 22, they may well have another player who is ready to leap forward and become the next star at St Mary’s in Lewisham-born Edozie.

Edozie, who came through the academies of Millwall and then Manchester City, is gifted with excellent technical attributes and speed that make him almost the perfect profile for a successful Championship winger.

Frighteningly quick off the mark and when dashing forward at his opposite number, Edozie has the natural speed and skill to terrorise any defender at this level. His flicks, trickery and pace are all known and while fans have been much more critical of inconsistent decision-making and end product, there is a school of thought that Still could be the man to iron out the winger's shortcomings and help him to fulfil his glittering potential.

The England youth international has shown signs at both Southampton and Anderlecht that, with some refinement to his game, he is ready to hit the consistent levels that one of the division’s best wingers must possess.

The pedigree he now has having played in European competition for the Belgian giants will only aid him as he returns to a division where he has already shown signs of being able to make his ability stand out above the rest.

If Saints are to build something that can sustain a promotion challenge next season, then ensuring they allow Edozie to continue develop on the south coast and lead their charge will be key.

Will Still has a strong track record with young attackers - It may help Southampton and Sam Edozie

One thing that will give Southampton supporters further reason to be excited about the potential of Edozie would be the appointment of former Stade de Reims and Lens boss Will Still.

The best example of that came at Reims, with his development of former Arsenal striker and now Monaco’s United States international Folarin Balogun.

Balogun had shown signs of being an extremely talented player in fleeting appearances for the Gunners before a loan stint in France with Reims.

Those signs were there again at Reims before the appointment of Still, but it wasn’t until the English-Belgian coach took the job that Balogun truly exploded and eventually notched 21 goals in 37 Ligue appearances during the 2022/23 campaign.