Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has suggested that the success the Saints have had with Theo Walcott so far this season could help to provide a new transfer approach at St Mary’s.
So far during the Austrian’s tenure at Southampton, the Saints have largely stuck to recruiting young and promising players who can be developed over the long-term by Hasenhuttl. That was the case with summer signings such as Ibrahima Diallo and Kyle Walker-Peters, with the latter having initially arrived on loan in January before proving his worth and earning a permanent deal.
However, Southampton made the decision to deviate from their youth-focused transfer approach by signing Walcott on loan from Everton. The 31-year-old has been a revelation at St Mary’s so far for the Saints, with the former England regular notching two goals and two assists in his opening 10 Premier League appearances this term (Transfermarkt).
Speaking to Hampshire Live, Hasenhuttl suggested that the success they have enjoyed with Walcott could see them look at other players of similar experience. However, he did insist that any potential new arrival would need to fit in with the existing dynamics of the squad and have the qualities to adapt to his system. He said of the ex-Arsenal winger:
We can only hope that every guy who comes in steps so quick into our game. He loves it here, people love him here, and it is a good signing, definitely.
It is always the same with older players that we must see how fit they are and see how much they can run, how professional they are.
When you take these parameters for him then on every parameter he is on very nearly the highest level. He is very fit, he likes to run and he is a very big benefit for the team.
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The success of Walcott potentially opens the door to Southampton making similar moves in the future, which can only be a positive for Hasenhuttl’s side. At the moment there is an ideal blend of youth and experience helping the Saints to push for the European positions in the Premier League table.
Some may have been sceptical when the Saints brought Walcott back to the club in October, but it has proved to be a very wise move thus far. The winger has come in and instantly improved the quality of options available to Hasenhuttl and he has arrived full of belief, along with huge experience at Premier League level.
Hasenhuttl has already claimed he would like Walcott to sign permanently from Everton, and that would be a major boost for the Saints were it to happen in January or next summer. It will be interesting to see whether the change in approach means that there will be a couple of more experienced heads added to the squad in the winter window.
