TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has offered his verdict on what Southampton need ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Russell Martin had a successful first season in charge of Southampton, steering the club to promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.
Given Southampton finished fourth in the regular league season, there is clearly work to be done to prepare for a return to the top flight.
That job is well underway, with seven permanent additions already this summer and more expected.
Gabby Agbonlahor believes that is certainly necessary, highlighting one key area in which he feels Martin’s side is currently lacking.
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Gabby Agbonlahor concerned by Southampton lack of ‘firepower’
Southampton were the third highest scorers in the Championship last season, scoring 87 goals in their 46 regular season games.
However, they have already seen 15-goal striker Che Adams leave this summer following the expiration of his contract and none of the strikers that remain at the club have had previous success in scoring regularly in the top flight.
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Agbonlahor feels that could be a real problem for Martin, as he said on talkSPORT (6:40pm, July 22): “You are looking at their striker, Adam Armstrong. Fantastic last season, but in 53 Premier League appearances, he has scored four goals.
“The firepower is going to be a problem. You talk about Che Adams going to Torino. Lallana is a great signing, gives that experience to help the players, he has been there and done it, had a great career, he can still play as well. It’s going to be tough. They need some signings in asap.”
Southampton must sign proven goalscorer this summer
Agbonlahor’s concerns are shared by the majority of the Southampton fanbase.
Armstrong scored 24 goals and assisted a further 13 last season but, as Agbonlahor rightly points out, has struggled in his two Premier League seasons.
The 27-year-old also spent the bulk of last season playing wide and is expected to do the same under Martin in the top flight.
Ross Stewart was brought in for £10 million last summer but managed just four appearances from the bench in a season ravaged by injury.
To add to that, the Scottish striker has never played a game at Premier League level and has played just 17 times in England’s second tier.
Sekou Mara is the other option, but the 21-year-old has scored just eight goals in 64 games in England.
Therefore, at least one centre-forward is needed this summer, if not two.
This is where Southampton cannot afford to try and find a cheap solution, with proven goalscorers coming at a premium for good reason.
If Martin can find a striker who can come in and score 10-15 goals next season, it will hugely increase his chances of keeping Southampton in the Premier League for another year.