Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton 2017/18 season review: Manolo Gabbiadini

By Chris Hughes

SWANSEA, WALES - MAY 08: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton celebrates with Charlie Austin after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES - MAY 08: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton celebrates with Charlie Austin after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After an explosive first half-a-season at Southampton following his arrival last January, there were plenty of eyes on Manolo Gabbiadini going into the 2017/18 campaign.

However, only a brave man who claim that the Italian had a successful first full year on the south coast, with his season littered with inconsistency and constant rumours of a move back to his native country.

Gabbiadini’s agent has been vocal over the months, talking up his client’s future with the striker having been linked to Bologna more than others – a move that could very realistically come into fruition this summer.

This comes because the 26-year-old has enjoyed a fairly sub-par campaign to put it lightly, scoring just five goals in 28 appearances in the league – he made a further five appearances in the cup without finding the back of the net

Granted, 17 of these league appearances were off the bench as a substitute, but that still doesn’t exclude that fact that in 12 games in the 2016/17 season, Gabbiadini scored more (6) than he did in 33 games this time around.

Next: Boufal hints at desire to leave St. Mary's

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on December 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on December 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

However Gabbiadini must take some credit for the Saints’ survival – his deciding goal in the match against Swansea arguably saved Southampton, as they went on to win 1-0, leapfrogging the Swans with just a game to go.

More from Saints Marching

But the Italian only found the back of the net in three other league games – with two of his four remaining goals coming as part of a brace against Newcastle in a 2-2 draw.

In fact, a lot of the ex-Napoli forward’s goals seemed to be crucial ones. The Saints would’ve dropped two points against West Ham and Swansea as well as coming away with nothing against Burnley and the Magpies without his intervention – for that we need to be grateful.

However his lack of movement in the final third was concerning throughout the season – his only ‘trademark’ goal off of a through ball was the one that opened his account for the campaign against the Hammers.

In truth, as talented as he is, Gabbiadini looked like a man without a place this season. He didn’t offer the same running capacity as Shane Long and isn’t as natural a finisher as the stronger Charlie Austin.

Despite this, both Pellegrino and Mark Hughes failed to deploy him in a deeper role enough, a position he filled well with his old side in Italy.

As a result he was often limited to cameo appearances, and sadly a move away this summer seems a lot more likely than him putting on red and white again this August.

Verdict

Manolo Gabbiadini: 5/10