Russell Martin was left impressed by new signing Ben Brereton Diaz as he netted his first Southampton goal in the 1-1 draw against Lazio on Wednesday night.
Southampton have ramped up their pre-season preparations with a return to St Mary’s seeing the club face Lazio before Getafe are in town on Saturday in the last friendly of the summer.
That means Russell Martin has just one game left to prepare his side for the trip to Newcastle United on August 17 as the Premier League returns.
With the Getafe game in mind, Martin named a largely second string starting XI as Southampton drew 1-1 with Lazio with one or two players staking their claim to sneak into the side for Newcastle.
The game was marred by flaring tempers resulting in Carlos Alcaraz and Alessio Romagnoli both being sent off as a feisty affair boiled over, but Southampton came through the game unscathed.
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Ben Brereton Diaz impresses Russell Martin on full Southampton debut
Ben Brereton Diaz was one of the players to make his mark against Lazio.
The 25-year-old’s £7 million arrival from Villarreal is a welcome one with Southampton very light in the forward areas.
Brereton Diaz is a versatile forward and started on the left with Sekou Mara operating as the central striker.
The new signing made an impact after just five minutes, receiving an Alcaraz pass wide on the left before driving infield and curling into the far corner.
With limited time on the pitch so far this summer, Brereton Diaz was withdrawn at half-time – perhaps with a view to starting again on Saturday – but impressed his manager in his 45 minutes.
Speaking on his latest signing after the game, Martin said: “He has real quality, real guile, real intelligence. He’s a brilliant signing for us, really good character-wise as well. So that’ll be really good for Ben, I’m pleased for him.”
Brereton-Diaz should start for Southampton in Newcastle United Premier League opener
Of the starting XI named by Martin, it is perhaps only Alex McCarthy and Brereton Diaz who would be expected to start Southampton’s first competitive game against Newcastle.
Brereton Diaz’ involvement was therefore a case of building his fitness and improving his match-sharpness whilst other likely starters were predominantly rested.
The side that starts in the final game of the pre-season against Getafe on Saturday is likely to very closely resemble the team Martin selects to face Newcastle at St James Park a week later.
Jan Bednarek, Yukinari Sugawara, Flynn Downes and Adam Armstrong are just some of the players expected to play a larger role at the weekend and it will be interesting to see how Brereton Diaz fits in alongside the regular starters.
With the lack of firepower arriving at the club so far this summer, Brereton Diaz will have a big role to play in providing goals and assists early in the season.