Featuring one of the most successful youth academies in the world of football, Southampton are known for their ability to develop youth. Players such as Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale are just some of the more recent stars to come out of the Saints academy ranks. However, they were not the first, and definitely not the last to achieve this level of success. Currently possessing a strong crop of young players, the Southampton academy system appears to be as loaded as ever. Taking a closer look at the stars of tomorrow, first up is 20-year-old forward Dan N’Lundulu.
Southampton Academy Spotlight: Dan N’Lundulu
Good Things Come with Time for Dan N’Lundulu
Joining the Saints Academy from Chelsea back in 2013, the French-born youngster has slowly but surely climbed through the youth ranks. Two years after his arrival on the South Coast, N’Lundulu officially joined up with the Southampton U18’s. Despite missing some time due to injury, N’Lundulu’s time with the U18’s was a successful one.
Netting five times in 14 appearances with the youth side, the England youth international showed his ability in the attack. Possessing good size, pace, and decision-making skills, N’Lundulu proved to be a major success. Just two years after joining the U18’s, he earned another promotion. This time, the then 18-year-old would make the jump up to the U23’s.
Making just one appearance that first season, N’Lundulu was once again hindered due to injury issues. However, like his time with the U18’s, the forward would prove that he was worth the wait. Making 11 appearances over the last year, N’Lundulu has performed increasingly well. Appearing in eight matches late last season for the U23’s, N’Lundulu scored twice including an incredibly crucial strike during the Premier League 2 play-off final against Newcastle United.
Acclaim and Opportunity Awaits
While the stats listed above may not sound all that great, it was N’Lundulu’s overall performance that wowed onlookers. One of those folks impressed with N’Lundulu happened to be none other than Saints first-team boss Ralph Hasenhuttl. Selected as a member of the Saints squad that participated in a pre-season training camp in Austria, N’Lundulu had a chance to train with many of Southampton’s current first-team players.
Earning the chance to compete against these older and more developed players, N’Lundulu apparently took advantage. Despite not making the Saints first team, he has seen a dramatic level of improvement so far this campaign. Continuing to play with the Saints’ U23 side, N’Lundulu has already turned in two great performances.
The first of these performances came as he helped lead the Saints youth side to an amazing 4-3 comeback victory over Manchester City. Down 3-0 to the City youngsters at one point, N’Lundulu helped engineer the Saints comeback, scoring two goals including the eventual winning strike late on in the match.
N’Lundulu impressed once again for the U23’s last time out against Liverpool. Despite seeing his side suffer to a 4-2 defeat, N’Lundulu would turn in another superb performance. Netting his third goal of the campaign in this match, N’Lundulu has quickly proved that he is one to watch as the rest of the season unfolds.
First Team ETA
Adding to their attack this past summer, Southampton have rebuilt most of their attack under Ralph Hasenhuttl. However, despite the great talent in these ranks, the Saints attack remains an extremely fragile area. Michael Obafemi and Danny Ings both come to the forefront when speaking of injury concerns while Shane Long is also an ageing and older option on the bench.
While it is doubtful that Dan N’Lundulu will make the first team jump this season, the young forward could be the first in line should the injury bug begin to bite. However, until that happens, expect N’Lundulu to remain with the U-23’s as he continues his development and growth as a footballer.
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