While Southampton are struggling in the Premier League, Jake Hesketh is starring in League One with Burton Albion.
In the eyes of Southampton fans, the most disappointing aspect of their recent decline is not so much the lack of goals, the dour football that has fans wanting to gouge their own eyes out, but the sudden dearth of academy graduates making their mark in the first-team.
The Saints are famous for launching the careers of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and co but these days their budding youngsters are more likely to be farmed out on loan than given a chance to impress.
Jake Hesketh is perhaps the best example of this break from tradition.
The 22-year-old has made just two appearances for Southampton since joining their academy all the way back in 2006 – but his hugely promising displays on loan at Burton Albion in the third tier at least give fans hope that he can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bale and Lallana.
The talented midfielder has been in superb form of late, scoring stunners against Saints’ local rivals Portsmouth in League One and in a 3-2 EFL Cup win against Nottingham Forest.
And Hesketh only added to his growing reputation with another fine display in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Coventry City, departing the pitch to a standing ovation late on.
Southampton fans take note – the present may be pretty dire but Hesketh provides some hope for the future.
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