Southampton must explore these options to give Leo Scienza a wake-up call

EFL pundit Adam Virgo would state, towards the back end of the last Championship season, that Leo Scienza was "wonderful" to watch during his debut campaign donning Southampton red and white.

He was right to praise the Brazilian attacker so openly, as he finished the 2025/26 season with a mighty 17 goal contributions next to his name.

Scienza was even tipped to move up to the Premier League this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa allegedly interested in the South American trickster.

A move didn't materialise, and unfortunately, so far this season for Tonda Eckert's men, he hasn't been fully at the races.

Indeed, Scienza only has two goals and two assists to shout about from 13 Championship contests, with the 5-foot-9 winger noted as looking "miles off it" during the disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Preston North End at the weekend by one enraged fan.

Eckert isn't blessed with left wing options to try and give Scienza more pressing competition, with Sam Edozie one unconvincing back-up figure he can rely on.

Here are three other options the German should consider down the left flank moving forward, which will hopefully give the ex-Heidenheim attacker the wake-up call he needs to lift his poor levels...

Bring back Tyler Dibling?

Tyler Dibling has been tipped to move away from Everton in January, with West Bromwich Albion rumoured to be looking at the former Saints youngster.

Dibling could be a great option for Eckert to have at his disposal down the wings to keep Scienza on his toes, with the 20-year-old sticking as a very fun, if raw, winger to watch during the 2024/25 Premier League season under Russell Martin.

He would bag two top-flight goals as an eye-catching winger, and he's well known for being extremely gung-ho and direct in his approach, when Scienza has been rather quiet, on the other hand, across recent matches.

Dibling would also surely jump at the chance to return to his boyhood employers, too, having been noted as "the most talented player I've ever seen or worked with" by the aforementioned Martin during his breakout season on the South Coast.

Imagine what Eckert could get out of the youngster if their paths did end up crossing.

Recall Jay Robinson?

Jay Robinson being recalled is also another possibility Eckert will consider to try and hand an underperforming Scienza some more competition.

The exciting 19-year-old has already chipped in with two goals and one assist on the books of AC Monza on loan in the intimidating environment of Serie A, so he should be able to return to the Championship and breathe down the below-par Brazilian's neck effectively.

He also managed to grab two goals and one assist in second tier action last campaign, when Eckert replaced Will Still, with Robinson's versatility to be able to play through the middle, and as a right winger, making him an even more attractive presence to recall.

It's down the left, though, where he has shone in the past in Saints youth circles, with eight goals next to his name on the left-hand side of the pitch playing for the U21s, so he would be coming for Scienza's far too assured first-team spot.

Bump Sufianu Dibaga to the first-team?

Lastly, away from recalling players or making statement mid-season moves, Eckert could look to the U21s for some reinforcements on the left channel.

It could be Sufianu Sillah Dibaga's time to finally gain some meaningful first-team minutes, as his electric form in Adam Lallana's extremely talented group this season warrants some more senior action heading his way.

Last time out for the free-scoring U21s, Dibaga would bag two goals, as the Saints hammered Norwich City 5-2.

Those two goals took his tally for the Premier League 2 season to a sublime four goals from five matches, with Dibaga also up to a stunning four assists, as an unselfish creator for the likes of Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, who is another attacking sensation for Lallana's group being tipped for first-team greatness.

Giving him minutes here and there could work in the near future, as he will be hungry to make any first team chances count.

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