Southampton have one of the best players in the Championship in Léo Scienza. Already the player is being coveted by other managers in the division meaning it won't be long before the vultures from the 'top 5' European leagues begin to circle above St Mary's.
Fans have been rightfully critical about Sport Republic's player recruitment in recent times. Just the mention of names like Rothwell, Sulemana, Bella-Kotchap, Mara, Holgate, Brereton Díaz would raise the hackles of even the most ardent of Saints fans.
This season, by the look of things, SR have done much better. Tom Fellows, Caspar Jander, and Finn Azaz have added genuine quality. The jury is still out on Joshua Quarshie and Kuryu Matsuki. Then there's Léo Scienza!
The Brazilian who quickly became a fans' favourite
The Brazilian has quickly become a fans' favourite at St Mary's. While it is rare to see a player with Scienza's genuine love for the game, it is even rarer still to see a player with such dribbling quality. The former FC Heidenheim player never leaves the field without acknowledging the fans and giving time in particular to the youngsters who bring him homemade gifts and Brazilian flags.
Possibly the key reason Scienza takes the time to interact and give his signature to fans is a recognition of the opportunity that Southampton have given him this season. His creativity and attacking zest is typically Brazilian but his sense of joy is quintessentially Léo.
From the moment that he came on at St Mary's for a 10 minute cameo against that lot from the wrong end of the M27, to the effort that cannoned off the woodwork at Bristol City, it was obvious that Saints fans had a player that they could really take to.
Scienza notched his first goal for Southampton away at Blackburn Rovers, a game that would be remembered for all of the wrong reasons and may have been the final nail in Will Still's coffin even before the defeat at home to Preston North End.
Scienza's jaw-dropping defining moment
Perhaps the defining moment of Scienza's short time at Southampton so far was his jaw-dropping winner at Queens Park Rangers. After picking the ball up on the half-way line, the Brazilian carried the ball 30 yards before drilling a shot into the top right-hand corner. That would give Tonda Eckert his first win and send him on his way to the permanent Head Coach job.
Léo gave Sants fans another glimpse of his fun side when he waved to them whilst laying down on the floor as a 'draft excluder' as Saints defended a dangerous Birmingham City free-kick at St Mary's. Responding to chants of 'Léo give us a wave' from the Northam End, Scienza duly obliged and got the biggest cheer of the day.
Even Frank Lampard has been surprised by Scienza's talent. "He's a really good player. I've been watching him, and I'm surprised. I was like, 'Who is this fella?' when I watched a few Southampton clips early this season," Lampard told the Daily Echo.
But, Southampton fans wll be well aware of what can happen when they aren't playing at the top level. The sale of Mateus Fernandes to West Ham in the summer was a prime example of why promotion must be secured this season. Any hope of keeping Léo Scienza at Southampton will be crushed into dust if they fail to reach the Premier League at the first time of asking.