Southampton recently welcomed winger Ryan Fraser to their squad, a summer acquisition that has caught the attention of journalist Dean Jones. Jones explained why this signing could serve as a significant stepping stone for the club’s aspirations.
While the addition of Ryan Fraser may not have elicited widespread excitement among Southampton’s fanbase, such signings often play a crucial role in building a well-rounded squad. In recent years, the club has focused on nurturing young, emerging talents. Still, the experience that Fraser brings to the team is undeniably valuable.
Ryan Fraser was loaned to Southampton from Newcastle United toward the end of the summer transfer window, adding a seasoned presence to the squad. Given the recruitment of several young talents like Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Shea Charles, Gavin Bazunu, and Kamaldeen Sulemana in recent years, the infusion of experience became a priority.
At 29 years old, Fraser boasts an impressive career with 321 games under his belt, far more than the numerous young talents regularly fielded by manager Russell Martin.
Russell Martin shared his positive view of Fraser when he arrived at St Mary’s in August, having previously worked with him during their time with the Scotland national team. Martin noted that Fraser is a highly skilled player who offers competition and experience. He has previously achieved promotion from the Championship and brings a winning mentality to the team.
While Ryan Fraser was experiencing a challenging period at Newcastle and rarely featured in matchday squads under Eddie Howe, Martin provided him with an opportunity to enjoy football once more. Fraser repaid the faith shown in him by scoring a last-minute winner for Southampton against Hull City over the weekend.
Dean Jones commended the signing of Fraser as a smart move by Martin and the recruitment team, emphasizing that Fraser can be a game-changer in the Championship. He suggested that Fraser might view this move as a stepping stone to returning to the Premier League. Jones remarked that when a player opts to join Southampton, it is often with the belief that it’s only a matter of time before they are back in the Premier League. Fraser’s experience and skill set can make a difference for Southampton in the Championship, particularly when they face challenges.
Although Fraser has made an impact under Martin’s management this season, he has found it challenging to secure starting opportunities. He has only started three Championship games thus far in the campaign. Despite this, after his recent goal against Hull, it may be the right time for Martin to provide Fraser with a more prominent role. Fraser’s experience and abilities could be the missing link to help Southampton gain momentum following an inconsistent start to the Championship season.
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