Saints Marching
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Southampton: High profile Saints on loan – the story so far

By Nikos Lemanis

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Sofiane Boufal of Southampton takes a look around the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Sofiane Boufal of Southampton takes a look around the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 03: Guido Carrillo of Southampton battles for possesion with Kurt Zouma of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary’s Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 03: Guido Carrillo of Southampton battles for possesion with Kurt Zouma of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary’s Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /

Guido Carrillo

Much maligned by the Southampton faithful, Argentine striker Carrillo never really settled on the south coast. Arriving by recommendation of a manager under pressure at a club in the middle of a relegation battle, it was always going to be sink or swim. Perhaps with more time he could have adapted to life in the Premier League, but we are unlikely to ever find out now.

It was an unsurprising twist when Southampton announced that Carrillo would follow Mauricio Pellegrino to Leganés in July.

What was surprising were the five goals he scored in five pre-season friendlies, including braces against both Real Vallecano and Real Zaragoza. This is a player who failed to register a single goal for Saints in half a season.

Since then Leganés (or ‘The Cucumber Growers’ as they are known) have drawn one and lost two of their opening league fixtures. Carrillo has started all three of those games, scoring once – a penalty in the 4-1 defeat away at city rivals Real Madrid.

Saints fans will be hoping he can up that scoring ratio as the season progresses, raising his value back towards the £19.1m the club forked out for him.

I’m not holding my breath.