Chris Sutton questions two Southampton summer signings after a worrying start to the season.
In an effort to aid Russell Martin in retaining Southampton in the Premier League, the club brought in 14 first-team players this summer.
After five league games, Southampton has not shown much progress towards reaching that goal; on Saturday, Russell Martin’s first game as Premier League manager, the team earned a point against Ipswich Town.
Despite his desire to retain the majority of the Southampton team that was promoted at the beginning of the season, Martin made some changes following three straight league losses to Manchester United.
Martin knew something had to change, thus there were adjustments made again the previous game. Southampton’s summer additions are now a regular fixture in the starting lineup.
The likes of Yukinari Sugawara, Adam Lallana and Mateus Fernandes have all impressed since arriving in the summer, but it has not worked out for all the new signings so far.
Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz yet to score for Southampton in Premier League
Up front was one of the things Martin understood needed to be addressed this summer.
Che Adams left Southampton when his contract expired in June, and the team decided to cash in on Sekou Mara this summer.
With Ross Stewart and Adam Armstrong the only remaining attackers for the Saints (the latter having only recently returned from injury), the team decided to sign Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal and Aston Villa, respectively.
Last season, the two forwards were teammates at Sheffield United. Brereton Diaz scored six goals in 14 games after going on loan in January, while Archer scored four goals in 29 Premier League games.
Since joining in the summer, neither player has scored in the league; Archer missed a penalty against Manchester United, and Brereton Diaz seems unconfident.
While Archer did score twice in the Carabao Cup against Cardiff City, he missed two significant opportunities on Saturday against Ipswich.
Chris Sutton delivers verdict on Southampton striker signings
The fact that Archer is getting opportunities is a plus, and in the previous game, he may have been unlucky to hit the post from a tight angle after circling the Ipswich goalie.
Conversely, Brereton Diaz has not looked like a scorer in the league and was recently substituted for Chile during the first half of their international match because of his subpar play.
During his Monday Night Club segment on BBC Sounds, Chris Sutton discussed both players. Starting with Cameron Archer, he said, “It seems like Archer missed the penalty against Manchester United. That seemed like a pivotal point in Southampton’s season to you.
“I am aware that they ultimately lost with ease, but the opportunity to take the lead…
“It wouldn’t have done him much good to have a striker who has been there and really needs to prove himself at Premier League level.”
“I think we all think Brereton Diaz can nick a goal, but can he nick it at the top level?” the former Blackburn Rovers striker continued.
Sutton raises a good point, and with Southampton having just managed two goals in the league this year, Martin needs his forwards to start producing soon or the season might stretch on for a very long time.
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