Is Ings Worth His Price?
It is important to note that Danny Ings will be playing for Southampton next season as the 18 million euro deal becomes permanent this summer. The first year Ings was technically on loan from Liverpool, but he will be the property of Southampton, with a possibility of 2 million more in add-ons written within the contract. This may be one of the reasons Hasenhuttl is predicting a “difficult summer.”
Ings probably should have scored two or three times against Huddersfield. It appeared as if he hesitated on a couple of occasions allowing Terrier’s defenders to get in position to make blocks. Indecisiveness and an inconsistent first touch also plagued him during the contest. We can speculate all we want, but the dip it form comes back to game time missed due to injury. Seven goals and three assists in twenty-four Premier League contests is not too bad, but not the production expected for 20 million euros. Although, in comparison, Guido Carrillo cost almost the same amount.
The takeaway here is Danny Ings will be a large part of Southampton’s success in 2019-2020, and the Huddersfield game reminded us his health will ultimately determine his effectiveness. However, his cost will hamper Ralph’s ability to bring in strikers to play alongside of him, unless funds can be raised from player sales.