Southampton may have struggled collectively in the Premier League so far this season but a number of individuals have impressed under Russell Martin.
The emergence of 18-year-old Tyler Dibling is the most notable of these, with the Southampton teenager scoring his first senior goal against Ipswich Town last weekend.
£6 million summer signing Yukinari Suagawara is looking an absolute steal having made the right-back spot his own since arriving and has developed an exciting relationship with Dibling down the Saints right.
Veteran midfielder Adam Lallana has also shown his class and assisted Dibling’s goal against Ipswich in the first league start of his second spell at the club at which he made his name.
- READ MORE: Southampton star Adam Lallana hailed as ‘priceless’ after what he’s done off the pitch recently
Southampton ace Flynn Downes has covered most distance in Premier League
Worryingly, a number of the players who helped get Southampton promoted have really struggled with the step up to the Premier League.
The likes of Adam Armstrong, Will Smallbone and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were all pivotal last season but have had difficulties in the top flight so far.
- READ MORE: Darren Bent delivers his verdict on Southampton forward Adam Armstrong amid ‘unfair’ criticism
However, one player who has looked at home in the Premier League is Flynn Downes; with the midfielder Martin’s priority signing this summer after an impressive loan spell last season.
Downes captained the side for the first time against Ipswich last weekend and one statistic has emerged that shows the 25-year-old is leading by example for Southampton.
That is because Downes has covered more distance than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.
Data site PFF revealed as much on X, as they posted an image that showed Downes tops the list on 57.3km across the five games so far, averaging a remarkable 11.46km per game.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo is second on 55.7km, whilst Morgan Rogers, Dwight McNeil and Marcus Tavernier complete the top five.
Downes should continue as Southampton captain
With Jack Stephens suspended after being sent off for a brainless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, Harwood-Bellis captained the Saints in their Carabao Cup triumph over Everton last week.
It was Downes who Martin entrusted with the armband against Ipswich after being rested against Everton, though, and many will feel the £18 million man should remain captain even when Stephens returns.
Stephens had started every game up until his red card but there are huge question marks over whether his place in the starting XI should be guaranteed and the fact he let his frustrations boil over to be sent off against United is not what is required from a leader.
Downes is a guaranteed starter for Southampton and leads from the front with his relentless work-rate and should be used as an example for his teammates.
Therefore, whilst it may rock the boat slightly with Stephens, perhaps Martin would be best off handing Downes the captaincy on a permanent basis.