To paraphrase the great Frank Sinatra; ‘regrets, Southampton have had a few’. Particularly when it comes to signing forwards. Or, more pertinently, not signing forwards.
First it was Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba around 20 years ago. Then, Darwin Nunez and Gianluca Scamacca. And, during the summer of 2022, Goncalo Ramos and Cody Gakpo slipped through Saints’ fingers too; chairman Henrik Kraft indicating that deals for both were ‘very close’.
When you consider that, between, them Ramos and Gakpo have a staggering 77 goal contributions this season alone, it is impossible not to wonder how differently things might have turned out for already-relegated, glued-to-the-bottom of the table Southampton had one or the other arrived at the start of a campaign which has seen nearly as managers as it has Premier League wins.
Ramos and Gakpo, meanwhile, are not the only forwards who have gone onto enjoy career-best campaigns since coming within touching distance of a move to the South Coast.
What could have been for Southampton?
According to The Athletic, Southampton held talks with Nicolas Jackson during the January transfer window. And while the Villarreal starlet might have come somewhat closer to joining local rivals Bournemouth – the Cherries agreeing a £20 million fee before the deal fell through due to problems uncovered in his medical – The Athletic insist that Jackson was ‘keen’ on a move to St Mary’s too.
As La Liga expert Terry Gibson points out, their loss is most certainly Villarreal’s ‘gain’.
“Bournemouth missed out there! He failed his medical, the deal was done. But it certainly wasn’t a long-term problem!” Gibson, the former Manchester United and Tottenham man, tells El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast.
“I understand why they didn’t make the signing but it’s certainly Villarreal’s gain. He looks incredible. His skill, the pace, his ability on the ball, his finishing, the assists he’s had.”
‘Unplayabl
In his last six La Liga games, Jackson has scored eight goals and set up two more. In fact, he’s found the net more times since April 27th than any of Southampton’s players – bar James Ward-Prowse – have managed all season long.
“He looks unplayable at the moment,” Gibson adds. “He looks absolutely fantastic.
“No Gerard Moreno for a while (Villarreal’s talisman absent through injury) and, for the first time, he hasn’t been missed. And that’s because of the form of Nicolas Jackson.
“He’s been brilliant.”
According to Spanish publication Plaza Deportivo, Southampton – like Bournemouth – were spooked by an injury Jackson suffered shortly before the close of the winter window. Their pragmatism was understandable. If Jackson had been ruled out for months or even weeks, the narrative would have been one of £20 million thrown down the pan.
And Jackson, to be fair, did miss eight La Liga games due to fitness issues. It’s just that, after returning, he’s more than made up for lost time.
Hey, isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing?
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