Southampton have never exactly relished a long history of success within football, but they’ve certainly been home to their fair share of Premier League stars who have had major impacts on performance over a number of years. Saints have dipped below the Premier League and surfaced again in the competition many a time, but have never failed to acknowledge potential. The calibre moulded at the club has borne out of tenacity and a willingness to partake in the sport, despite relegation threats and detrimental losses. It has not been until recently that Saints have clawed their way (somehow) into a position of real strength within the division; we saw it last season, and we’re seeing it persistently again. However, quick feet and assured ability is not an entirely new concept for the club.
In no particular order (after all, how can you order such a bunch?), here is a run-down of five of Saints’ most impacting players through my eyes.
- Matt Le Tissier, 1986-2002
In the history of the Premier League, Southampton certainly feature. However, it was almost Matt Le Tissier alone who added a little sparkle to the otherwise flat red and white stripes. Boasting a stellar record of 47/48 goals from mere penalties is telling of Le Tissier’s capabilities, and he possesses a whole host of accolades, from PFA Young Player of the Year 1989-1990 and English Football Goal of the Season 1994-1995, to Premier League Player of the Month December 1994 and October 1996. The devoted, ferociously loyal, one-team man from Guernsey was able to convey his extraordinary talents on the Premier League main stage as of 1992, after Southampton were promoted from the First Division. Le Tissier more than thrived, bagging 30 goals in the 1994-1995 season alone (I might add this happily coincides with my year of birth). Whether this fast-paced south coast Herculean will emerge the best Saint to break into the Premier League, we are yet to discover, but he definitely teeters along the top of my list.
- James Beattie, 1998-2005
36-year-old Beattie warrants an entire ‘era’ dedicated solely to himself; as a young Southampton girl, this skilled striker was somebody extremely prevalent and wise on St. Mary’s soil when I frequented matches at the home stadium. Parting with Blackburn Rovers, where his youth career ignited, was a gutsy move, and wholly necessary from my perspective. Beattie really flourished at Saints, and I fondly remember how fellow supporters would pin hopes on his shoulders. This being a time, of course, where Saints did fairly well. It might not be smart, or particularly accurate to associate Saints’ downfall with Beattie’s departure to Everton in 2005, but I would consider his absence a huge hindrance. Despite preliminary injuries, Beattie can brag a 68-goal total for the club, and aided their place in the 2003 FA cup final versus Arsenal (which I remember well, if not a little negatively). That’s certainly not the reputation of a man at a failing club.
- Alan Shearer, 1986-1992
Lest we forget that pundit and Geordie cheeky chappy, Alan Shearer, developed through Saints’ infamous youth academy, into their fully-fledged first team. This might be my token humorous addition, but he definitely made his mark. Making his tentative debut as a substitute against Chelsea in 1988, Shearer was soon noticed as somebody with excellent potential. In five games towards the latter of the 1987-1988 season, he acquired three goals, which is not at all shabby when sculpting oneself a career. Shearer had a great knack for retaining ball possession and performed well as a striker, but it is in no way his attacking ability that has earned him his slot in this selection; what Shearer managed following his Saints days is more telling, going to Blackburn and then Newcastle. Without delving into the most notable examples fresh off the Saints youth academy conveyer belt, Alan Shearer is testament that Saints have paved their most lucrative ways into the history books via their stockpile of plucky youngsters.
- Adam Lallana, 2006-2014
Although Lallana, one of Liverpool’s newer, shinier additions, endeavoured a senior career at Saints from 2006 until the end of last season, he was another moulding a youth campaign, as of 2000. The attacking midfielder achieved 48 goals overall for Saints in his years under the spotlight; it was not until 2013/2014 that his true colours really blossomed magically. The St. Albans native is likely to pierce into the England squad fully soon enough, probably seeking to improve the flagging national side, but has been somewhat downtrodden since embarking on his next footballing adventure under Brendan Rodgers’ Scouse side. As voted by fans, Lallana was also awarded Player of the Season at the club. His place in my brief list is entirely worthy, as his contributions, especially last season, were extremely notable, and he shone so much that supporters were left in a quandary back in the summer as to what the team would do without him.
- Dušan Tadić, 2014-present
The ex-FC Twente Serbian penned a four-year contract with Saints back in the summer, and I’ve only become more ecstatic since. Perhaps for those reading this with less knowledge about Saints through the ages, Tadić should stand out as a familiar name. His contributions for the club so far include an abundance of assists and a smashing degree of goals, including his first during the 8-0 howler of a game against Sunderland earlier in the competition. More recently, Tadić was the nail in the coffin for Manchester United, much to the upset of Louis van Gaal. His personal honours only stem as far as Eredivisie accolades, but I would not at all be shocked if he was rewarded with more than a pat on the back when the current season draws to a close. The attacking midfielder has actively buddied up with Graziano Pellè to form something of a goalkeeper’s nightmare at the best of times; he could certainly make the red and white history books in future years to come.
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