In the Football Transfer Tavern the Southampton supporters are bitterly disappointed that this campaign has gone past where they’ve failed to break the top seven barrier and they could even finish in the bottom half.
There has been some positive substance to take away from the 2016/17 season, and that’s the fact they have been able to replace one consistent Italian in Graziano Pelle with another – Manolo Gabbiadini.
He’ll be pivotal in their final games, with them having some in-hand over other Premier League sides, but it’s not just him who’ll be called upon in the next few weeks at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Our fans by the bar are quite proud of the Saints’ prestigious and notorious youth academy who continue to spill out quality-abundant players every year, it’s time for a few more to taste top-flight football in the first-team.
Here are two young Southampton stars that must be given the chance in the final games of the season….
Jake Hesketh
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is expected to become a wonder at Southampton in the next couple of years, but here at the Football Transfer Tavern we reckon the youngster could be an important player in the next campaign.
Jake Hesketh hasn’t featured much in the last twelve months. In fact, he has made just four senior appearances and yet to feature in the Premier League.
Currently plying his trade in the under-23 squad, he should be given the opportunity as the Saints have nothing to fight or battle against so there is honestly no risk in experimenting.
Matt Targett
Matt Targett, 21, is fully capable of stepping up to the plate for manager Claude Puel having filled in for Ryan Bertrand at left-back on numerous occasions throughout the season, which is also his preferred position.
Our Saints-mad barman is an eager Southampton supporter and always likes new, fresh talent stepping up into professional football and he thinks this young defender needs game time as soon as possible to be an influence in the future.
Targett will want to go on the pre-season tour but Puel needs to allow the full-back to get into the first-team and therefore give him a chance in the coming weeks.
Southampton fans, do you think it’s a good idea to give a few young stars game time? Would you welcome these two into the first-team picture? Tell us your opinions in the comments below!
