Samuel Edozie’s return against Watford on Saturday felt significant, and not just because it ended an 18-month wait for league minutes. He last featured in a league game long before Tonda Eckert arrived, and his reintroduction instantly shifted the conversation around Southampton’s attacking midfield.
Edozie had been frozen out for a long time, and for many fans, it has felt baffling because his talent was never really in doubt. Now that he is back in the matchday squad, it feels like a door has finally been prised open that many assumed had been permanently shut.
Eckert admitted he was pleased with what he saw, noting that Edozie seemed to have been set free by the opportunity to be back in the fold. The winger looked sharp and direct, and that alone hinted at what Saints have been missing in certain games this season.
Edozie may still have a long way to go to get back to his best, and 23 minutes against Watford is hardly going to be enough to achieve that. Minutes on the pitch are what is required.
One player who could be worried is very obvious
This is where the situation becomes uncomfortable for others, and Jay Robinson may be the first to feel it. Robinson has worked his way into the squad and has had moments where he looked capable of holding down a place and pushing on.
His goals away at Ipswich and Queens Park Rangers earned his side valuable points. His form has since dipped, and opportunities at this level are not guaranteed. It's clear that Eckert has been frustrated by Robinson at times.
With Edozie available again, the competition has changed overnight. Robinson is no longer fighting to stay ahead of fringe players because he is now competing with a player who offers genuine pace, unpredictability, and is a genuine one-v-one threat.
The reality is that Eckert can only pick so many attacking midfielders. If Edozie starts to feature regularly, someone will inevitably lose out, and Robinson’s route back into the team suddenly looks far less clear.
A good problem to have for Tonda Eckert
From Eckert’s perspective, this is a problem he will welcome because it gives him a real choice. For months, Saints have lacked natural width and penetration, and Edozie brings both when he is confident and trusted.
Saints Marching has already argued that bringing Edozie back into the fold could be a statement decision. It would show that players can force their way back even after long spells on the outside.
The wider impact is on the balance of the midfield and attacking unit. Saints have rotated heavily all season, and very few players have felt completely secure, which is why Edozie’s return adds another layer of pressure.
Robinson now has to respond because standing still is not an option. He will need to be sharper, braver in possession, and more decisive when chances arise, as the bar has risen dramatically.
Edozie’s comeback is about more than one appearance off the bench. It threatens to reshape the attacking midfield hierarchy, and it could trigger a brutal shake-up, leaving some players watching from the sidelines or even from the stands.
For Southampton, that tension might be exactly what they need as the season enters a decisive phase.