The January signing has had an excellent start to life at his new club.
While Southampton fans will rightly still be gutted about losing the League Cup final 3-2 to Manchester United, there was one huge positive to come out of it – Manolo Gabbiadini.
The 25-year-old bagged a brace at Wembley – and but for a shocking decision by the linesman, he could have had a hat-trick – taking his tally to five goals in three games for the Saints.
Aside from Charlie Austin, who hit nine goals in 19 games before his shoulder injury, one massive problem for Southampton this season is that their strikers simply have not delivered.
Shane Long has hit a paltry five goals in 34 games, while Jay Rodriguez – admittedly still finding his feet after returning from injury – has returned the same amount of goals as Long, but in 25 fixtures.
This profligacy meant that Southampton simply had to sign a striker who could make the most of the chances they create, and in Gabbiadini, it looks like they may have got some find.
When Austin returns from injury, Saints boss Claude Puel will be grateful to have the selection dilemma regarding picking one of England’s most underrated finishers or sticking with Gabbiadini.
Going by the Italian’s start, however, that striker’s shirt could be Gabbiadini’s for a long time to come.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
