Do Mario Lemina’s all-action displays make him more important to Southampton than Oriol Romeu?

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Oriol Romeu is one of Southampton’s star performers, but new man Mario Lemina might be stealing the spotlight in the coming weeks and months.

Oriol Romeu has established himself as a key player in the Southampton team since signing from Chelsea in 2015.

His impressive performances last season earned him the club’s player of the year award, leading to the player having to talk down rumours of a move to former club Barcelona – per the Daily Express.

Therefore, when the Saints brought in Mario Lemina from Juventus this summer, they had hoped the two would dovetail perfectly and Romeu’s crucial play in the middle of midfield would give the new recruit a platform to impress.

Lemina certainly has impressed, but his displays in recent weeks have perhaps suggested that Romeu is no longer such a vital piece of the Southampton puzzle, rather than doing the opposite.

Steven Davis was left out by Mauricio Pellegrino against Newcastle United, pairing Lemina and Romeu in the middle – with the latter expected to provide a solid defensive presence.

However, Lemina found himself doing the most impressive back-tracking with an all-action box-to-box display that negated the need for Romeu.

In fact, Southampton were 2-1 down when Romeu made way for Davies with 23 minutes remaining, before they salvaged a draw.

Of course, Romeu remains an important player for Pellegrino and his side – and will continue to start regularly – but Lemina’s more rounded game might see the ex-Chelsea midfielder worry for his place for the first time in a long time.