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Southampton: Three immediate alternatives to James Maddison

By Chris Hughes

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: James Maddison of Norwich City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road on October 22, 2017 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: James Maddison of Norwich City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road on October 22, 2017 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Maximiliano Meza runs off the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Maximiliano Meza runs off the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Maximiliano Meza

Another player currently displaying his talents at the World Cup in Russia, Meza is another potential option for the Saints this summer after losing out on Maddison.

For Argentina, he is mostly playing as a natural centre-midfielder, but he has regularly played further forward for his club, where he has three goals and four assists so far in 18 games.

Meza is only under contract for another two seasons and as a result could easily be available for a good price this summer, even if he does have a good tournament for his national side.

At 26 he is the most senior option I’ve suggested but also far from old – it could take another season or two before we see the best of his game.

The transfer could perhaps be comparable to that of West Ham’s signing of Manuel Lanzini – a lesser-known Argentine brought in at the right place. The Hammers’ playmaker may currently be injured, but he has thrived in his three seasons in east London.

Therefore it’s not totally out of the window for the Saints to shop in South America, especially as his stock will only rise through being at the World Cup – who knows, he may feature on an episode of World Cup Scouted soon!