One of the latest sizzling transfers in the (English) Premier League has gone to my traditionally underachieving home team, Southampton FC, who have lately pulled up their red and white striped socks and earned themselves a more encouraging place on the leader board. For a team who have changed managers like (for most people) under garments and been stuck in an attacking rut, their last season was nothing short of sparkling, and this new edition could be something extra special, too. Enter, Dusan Tadic.
Dusan Tadic
The 25-year-old energetic midfielder brings hope to myself and fellow Saints FC supporters that their recent selling of top drawer players won’t be too much of a problem for their newfound Premiership glory. The young and hyper-talented, Luke Shaw, has sadly been purchased by Manchester United, whilst both Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have gone to Liverpool FC. Despite all being excited by their prospects at bigger Premier League clubs, I for one am a little distraught that they have flown the coop so soon; after all, I was enjoying my St. Mary’s boys churning out goals.
According to Southampton themselves, Tadić is to enjoy a four year contract for an estimated £8 million with the side, following his move from Dutch team, FC Twente, and is “really excited” to play under new boss, Ronald Koeman (saintsfc.co.uk, July 2014). Tadić has topped tables previously for both assists and goals, and boasts great flair and technique when ball and boot collide. From the pleasant comments the new player has made about Koeman, Shaw, Lallana and Lambert might well be missing out a tad, now that such great, forward-thinking management has been cemented. Furthermore, the ex-Dutch footballer seems to hold Dušan Tadić in the same regard. The midfielder has allegedly watched several Saints games and feels he will gel well with their standard procedure of “really nice football” (theguardian.com, July 2014).
Southampton is not so much a yo-yo team, rather lack the potential to retain, or even reach, Premier League position, from time to time. It has not been until last season that they fully stepped into to the star-spangled light that they had created, and came into their own on the field. Luke Shaw has been nothing but promising and precise, showing great capability with the ball; whilst Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert really moulded Saints into the ideal shape to compete against tough competition in English football. Further still, the trio were plucked by Roy Hodgson to join the national England squad and could have added a lot more spice to the Three Lions blend, had they made it into the World Cup group stages (we won’t go into that, despite not being particularly patriotic).
In sum, Southampton is riddled with changes and Tadić is already looking as though he’s one for the better. New coach and new fantastic players to slot in seamlessly with new can-do ethos; I’m itching to see how the season will begin, and just how comfortably Dušan Tadić will spread his wings.
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