A number of Southampton supporters have been debating whether the Saints should offer Mohamed Elyounoussi the chance to come back and impress at St Mary’s next season.
The Norwegian was deemed surplus to requirements by Ralph Hasenhuttl and had his loan at Celtic extended for a second season, and the 26-year-old has shown some encouraging signs for the Scottish giants. So far this term, he has netted six goals in 14 league appearances, as well as another three strikes in the Europa League.
So far, Elyounoussi’s £16m move to St Mary’s has not worked out at all for the attacker, who made just 16 Premier League appearances in the 2018/19 campaign (without scoring) before being sent out on loan to Celtic ever since. However, the 26-year-old is still under his current £60,000-a-week contract with the Saints until 2023.
The Saints have already shown with the likes of Jannik Vestergaard and Che Adams that players who initially struggled at St Mary’s can turn things around. Those two are now instrumental performers for Hasenhuttl’s men and it shows what faith and consistent game-time can do for a player’s confidence and long-term future at Southampton.
Southampton fans debate Mohamed Elyounoussi’s future
Some fans were open to the idea of giving Elyounoussi another chance at Southampton next season, citing the improvements of others as a reason to keep faith in him. However, others who were more sceptical and believe he is not good enough for the Saints.
https://twitter.com/jonokli/status/1338927939677786113?s=19
I think he potentially could improve us. Ofc I remember how bad he was against derby but I could list countless games where Vestergaard looked like a lost hope
— Adam (@_SFCAdam) December 15, 2020
Everybody has improved under Ralph. Why wouldn’t you give him a chance to shine?
— Andrew Green (@AndrewwGreen) December 15, 2020
If we keep up this pace and get to Europe, depth will be necessary so either keep, or sell and get a replacement. Since he hasn’t learned Ralph’s system he’d be like a new signing so it depends if Ralph wants him or has his sights on a new guy
— Mike (@realhasenhuttl) December 15, 2020
If he stays in form, yes give him another chance, but at the same time if we can get £8m+ for him I wouldn't be upset to see him go. But I don't want to see another loan for him, either sell for a decent amount of money or give him ago
— Ed (@EddySFC) December 15, 2020
I’d say yes unless they have a replacement lined up that you can get with the transfer fee from selling him
— Alec (@alec_weise) December 15, 2020
