The Southampton fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping their club will secure a handful of signings this summer to ensure they avoid another relegation battle next season, but they also want one player in particular to remain at St Mary’s Stadium.
After enduring a torrid season in the Premier League, the resident Saints faithful propping up our bar have been eager to put their relegation battle behind them and focus on the new campaign. With Mark Hughes officially at the helm for a further three seasons after putting pen to paper on a new contract last weekend, the fans are looking forward to a new era in which they believe Manolo Gabbiadini could play a key role.
The Italian striker has become something of a cult hero since he scored the crucial winning goal against Swansea to effectively keep Southampton in the league, but his struggle for form throughout the season has seen him overlooked for international selection in recent months.
However, he recently expressed his desire to work his way back into the Italy squad in the future according to the Daily Echo.
Gabbiadini (valued at £10.8 million by Transfermarkt) stated that he will need to impress at club level in order to earn that privilege, and the Southampton supporters have turned out on Twitter to voice their support for the striker ahead of the new season.
It seems the Saints faithful believe Gabbidani is yet to reach his full potential on the south coast but they are backing Hughes to help him rediscover his goal-scoring touch next season.
Here’s what the Southampton fans have had to say about Gabbiadini in response to his latest comments…
https://twitter.com/trickysjoyboy/status/1001055380867289089
https://twitter.com/dossie1954/status/1001032992213684224
Hughes will get the best out of him I’m sure….could save us a few bob along the way to spend on a quality centre half…
— Jason Lawson (@jase1962) May 28, 2018
He's a quality striker more than capable of a double figure goal return but….needs game time and a system that plays to his strengths.
— Saint Aidan (@aidanrudd) May 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/RonaldKonman/status/1001200776960765953
https://twitter.com/tansitman1964/status/1001151552000790529
I would have thought so. Didn't score many last season put the points earned by those he did get were enough to keep us up. Hope he gets the chance to play regularly
— Murray Smith (@LingwoodMurray) May 28, 2018
