Jamie Redknapp impressed with Southampton’s Senegal international Sadio Mane

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Former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie Redknapp sings the praises of Southampton’s transfer deadline day signing Sadio Mane.

Following the summer exodus, Southampton were expected to struggle for survival in the Premier League this season.

A number of players were signed to compensate for the loss of those who departed, while Ronald Koeman arrived from Feyenoord to succeed Mauricio Pochettino as the Saints manager.

What has happened for Southampton in the opening weeks of the 2014-15 season is nothing less than extraordinary. They are currently second in the league table with 13 points from six matches, just three points behind leaders Chelsea.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are all below Koeman’s side, who got the better of the Gunners 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium last week in the third round of the League Cup.

Southampton’s summer signings have all fitted in seamlessly in Koeman’s team, with the likes of Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic showing that they can succeed in the Premier League.

One new arrival who has stood out above others for former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie Redknapp is Sadio Mane.

The Senegal international midfielder moved to the Saints from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg on transfer deadline day and made his league debut for his new club in their 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

Mane, who featured against Arsenal at the Emirates last week, created one goal, played three key passes and had two shots on target against QPR.

‘After the start Southampton have made, there are plenty of players in that side worthy of praise’, Redknapp wrote in the Daily Mail. ‘But one who is starting to stand out is Sadio Mane.

‘He looks absolutely electric. He cost the best part of £12million, so you would expect some big performances from him but there is always a question over foreign signings — can they handle life in the Premier League?

‘From what I’ve seen so far, he looks perfect for it. Mane loves cutting in from that left flank, is quick as lightning and is never short of end product. I like what I’m seeing and if he carries on, he has the potential to rip this league apart’.

Big comments from Redknapp, but it is a bit too early to claim that Sane can be a huge success in the Premier League. After all, he has played just one league game, and how many times have we seen players starting great and then fading away?

However, the 22-year-old former Metz youngster has shown that he is not scared to take on the opposition and is not intimidated. That is a great trait, and if Mane can maintain his form, then he could become of the stars of the 2014-15 Premier League campaign.