He hasn’t been playing every week at Napoli since he dropped out of the starting berths in November.
But goals are the most important part of football and Southampton’s new signing, Manolo Gabbiadini, seems to know where the onion bag is.
Southampton have scored just 23 goals this season and only the bottom two sides, Hull and Sunderland (both on 20) have less.
So another goalscorer, to add the the current roster of Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long seems like an obvious addition.
Gabbiadini is an Italian international with six caps for his country since his debut in 2012 and one goal scored.
At club level he’s been a regular if not prolific scorer throughout his career. The 25-year-old has played for six clubs in Italy – Atalanta, Citadella, Juventus, Bologna, Sampdoria and Napoli – and his overall goal tally is 58 in 215 games.
At Napoli he hit 24 in 76 games and regularly came off the bench to score. He has three goals in his last three games.
This is a forward who looks suited to the Premier League. At 6ft 1in he can handle himself and also has decent groundspeed. His movement is good and he has the technique expected of an Italian international.
Overall it’s a signing which may not have wowed Southampton fans. But it’s a necessary addition and TFF thinks that Gabbiadini could prove to be a gem.
If he hits the ground running we should expect him to be starting every week before too long.
Let’s see him in action. Southampton fans: pleased with your purchase?