When Graziano Pelle was signed in the middle of a turbulent summer for Southampton last season for £8 million from Dutch giants Feyenoord, there were high expectations of the big Italian to replace cult hero Rickie Lambert and to fill his boots very quickly and to enjoy success with Southampton very quickly; and he’s done exactly that as he leads the line for The Saints into his second season in English football.
Last season, Pelle managed to score 12 goals in his first season for Southampton. An impressive record for the 6ft 4 striker after a tough time adjusting to the pace and style of the Premier League game. However, like Dusan Tadic, he got off to a wonderful start to life in England, scoring goals left, right and centre for The Saints up until around the Christmas period, where both Tadic and Pelle fizzled out a bit. This was to be expected as it is the very busiest part of the Premier League schedule, in comparison to in the Netherlands, where the players get more of a rest around the festive period. However, Pelle kept his head up and still managed to contribute to the team even throughout his bad spells.
His form for Southampton last season saw him earn his first ever call up to the Italian national side, and he delivered instantly with a winning goal on his debut. Now; he’s still playing for them and is still leading the line as their first choice striker. Only on Tuesday night did he bag yet another important goal for the Azzuri. Italy and Norway were deadlocked in a very tight contest at 1-1, before Graziano Pelle managed to fire in a left footed half volley to give Italy the advantage and a win. For his country, Pelle has scored 4 goals already in just 8 games for his country, averaging a record of a goal every two games – one that is clearly impressing national coach Antonio Conte.
So far this season, Graziano Pelle has bagged 7 goals in all competitions, 2 coming from the Europa League qualifiers and 5 in the Premier League. This impressive start has ensured his place in the starting eleven for Southampton, as he has played every single minute of Premier League football so far for The Saints. His work rate and presence up front for Southampton has been an integral part of their success over the course of last season and so far this campaign, and his ability to gel quickly with players around him has certainly helped his team mates out also.
His excellent striking partnership with Sadio Mane sprouted at the very start of this year, as the two have since helped to score a handful of goals for Southampton that have been game-changing and so very important to their progression. As well as the link up with Mane, Pelle is hugely renowned for his brilliant footballing relationship with Dusan Tadic. When the creative Serbian is fit and has confidence, he can be a joy to watch, creating chances several times throughout a match; which is obviously good for a clinical striker such as Pelle. This season so far, the exciting front three have caused mayhem amongst Premier League defences, all scoring goals and creating assists for one another, ultimately resulting in good results for Southampton, who currently sit in 9th place.
This attacking trio showed just how good they were in The Saints’ last fixture, against Chelsea away from home. Pelle, Tadic and Mane were able to unlock Chelsea on several occasions and cut through their defence with ease as Southampton completed a vital 3-1 victory over the reigning champions in a match in which Mane and Pelle scored.
Aged at 30, it would normally be expected that a striker has already reached his peak and will start to show dip in performances. However, this is the total opposite for Graziano Pelle; as he looks like he is in the form of his life at the moment for Southampton. It seems as though he has never been more confident, nor more happy with his football in his life; playing with a smile on his face, turning out great performances and of course – scoring goals for club and country.
However, one huge reason for Pelle’s success is the unconditional support and trust in him that Ronald Koeman has provided throughout his time at Southampton. Under Koeman’s management at Feyenoord, Pelle scored 50 goals in 57 games; a hugely impressive record that saw the striker secure a move to Southampton. The £8 million man started 37 Premier League games last season, and even in his more unhappy times with the club; Koeman kept his faith in Pelle and he has certainly repaid that faith over time.
One key quality about Pelle which is very clear to see is his ability to hold up the ball, and bring others into the game. The Italian is far more than just your regular target man up front, who you loft the ball up to in the hope that he will nod it on and hope someone will be running on to the ball; he’s a creative player also. So far this season, in just 8 starts, Pelle has created 42 chances for himself and his team mates. Not only is this record impressive for a striker of Pelle’s size and stature, but it has helped him to take back a lot of confidence and arrogance that he was able to show last season while he was at the very peak of his form. It is now showing just how confident Pelle is when he is on the ball, trying new things, playing more adventurously and offering even more going forward. It is sure that if Pelle can keep his form going, along with help from the players around him, he will enjoy yet another season full of goals.
What is important for Pelle this season also, is to improve on his goal scoring record, away from home. Last season, the big Italian forward managed just one goal in the league when playing away, and it is a record that he will look to work on and to improve on massively. However, saying that; he already has. This season, Pelle has scored 2 goals away from home already with goals at Newcastle and Chelsea, so he has already made improvement on some records from last season. His home form of course has been consistently brilliant as goals have flowed ever since his arrival at St. Mary’s Stadium.
His recent performances have earned him the player of the month award at Southampton for September, and if he can continue to perform like he has; more goals and awards will come for Graziano Pelle and Southampton.
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