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Southampton: World Cup Scouted – Nicolai Jorgensen

By Chris Hughes

SARANSK, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Nicolai Jorgensen of Denmark celebrates victory during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Peru and Denmark at Mordovia Arena on June 16, 2018 in Saransk, Russia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SARANSK, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Nicolai Jorgensen of Denmark celebrates victory during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Peru and Denmark at Mordovia Arena on June 16, 2018 in Saransk, Russia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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With the second round of group stages matches in full swing, we’re starting to see which teams could really surprise us this World Cup.

One of those in the Danes, who have recorded four points from two games will go into their biggest test against France knowing they could very much reach the knockout stages.

Yesterday Denmark drew 1-1 with Australia after the latter equalised through a penalty, having previously beat Peru 1-0 in a tough match on Saturday. Both the Peruvians and the Socceroos have been impressive this tournament, meaning the group has been a tough one to predict.

In their match yesterday it was of course talisman Christian Eriksen who broke the deadlock. He scored an emphatic finish off of his left foot but the backheel assist earned just as much praise – the man who provided it was Nicolai Jorgensen.

The striker has been decent so far this tournament without finding the back of the net – he nearly did so with a powerful header yesterday but is still yet to get off the mark himself.

Next: Should the Saints take the punt on Anthony Limbombe?

SAMARA, RUSSIA – JUNE 21: Nicolai Jorgensen of Denmark reacts prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and Australia at Samara Arena on June 21, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
SAMARA, RUSSIA – JUNE 21: Nicolai Jorgensen of Denmark reacts prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and Australia at Samara Arena on June 21, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) /

I’ve actually been a fan of the striker’s for a short while, in fact I listed him in my 2017 summer wishlist as my choice of striker for the Saints to bring in last year.

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Although nothing has been confirmed as of yet, many Southampton supporters expect Guido Carrillo to move on this summer after a frankly poor six months on the south coast. He could easily be followed by Manolo Gabbiadini, however it’s looking more and more likely the Italian will stay beyond August.

Either way, the Saints are still in need of a new striker, and the Danish forward could be the answer to their problems.

Despite standing a six-foot-four, Jorgensen is really good with the ball at his feet – something shown with his smart backheel assist in the game yesterday lunchtime.

This means that the Saints will not only get the physical striker they’ve so desired since Graziano Pelle left, but they will also get someone who bring other players into the game and work as a focal point ahead of whatever new #10 and wingers we hopefully bring in before the new season.

Furthermore, whilst he’ll still cost a fair amount, Jorgensen’s stock will have ever so slightly dropped in the past 12 months. This time last year the 27-year-old has just scored 21 league goals, enough to win him the golden boot in the Eredivisie. In the campaign just gone, he only recorded ten goals in 26 games, which whilst still decent isn’t nearly as good as the 2016/17 season.

But this doesn’t mean that the Danish international isn’t worth the risk – since the 2012/13 season he’s only once not scored ten times in the league. That year he still managed seven in 16 however, a impressive goal-to-game ratio.

Jorgensen’s toughest task in the World Cup is still to come when they face France in their final group game next week. For now though, he remains an all-rounded yet physical forward who could seriously add something to the Saints’ front-line.