The Southampton starlet who could step up to fix Tonda Eckert’s midfield issues

Tonda Eckert would clearly love another midfield body at Southampton.

After his side were humbled 2-1 by Watford on the opening weekend of the Championship, he stated that the midfield area is "one position"- among many - that the Saints will be looking to strengthen in, with both Cameron Bragg and Flynn Downes enduring up-and-down afternoons at Vicarage Road.

Caspar Jander being out injured has come at the worst possible time for the German, too, with Shea Charles no longer around, with Charles' ability to conjure up a moment of magic from nothing sorely missing from the slender defeat in Hertfordshire.

Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh might have thought he'd stand a chance of following in Bragg's footsteps, in being this season's midfield revelation from the academy, but he has been sold to Northampton Town.

There is another promising starlet in the background at St. Mary's who will hope he's handed some first team chances sooner rather than later, with the midfield department remaining slightly depleted.

The midfield starlet who wants first team football

Over recent years, Southampton haven't been afraid to chuck homegrown youngsters into their first team step-up, with Bragg a clear example right now under Eckert.

Away from the Scotsman's first team minutes continuing to go up under the German, there are also the likes of Tyler Dibling from yesteryear who shone brightly in the senior picture, after once being a wide-eyed youngster, with Russell Martin surely smug with himself that he was the manager who first gave him the platform to express himself at St. Mary's.

Moses Sesay wants to be the next U21s star that makes the transition look easy, with the 19-year-old vocally coming out in an interview recently to declare his want for first-team action at his boyhood club.

Declaring that he is "ready" for the challenge of first-team football, whether that comes his way at Southampton or out on loan, it's clear that the teenage midfielder is desperate to prove himself as a senior option.

With O'Brien Whitmarsh just being sold, and Eckert clamouring for fresh blood in terms of a new signing, the likely route Sesay will have to stomach is being loaned out.

But, the four-time England U18 international is a standout presence in the U21 set-up for his versatility, and that could come in handy.

He could finally get his chance

Indeed, Sesay is much more than just a standard central midfielder.

He can comfortably play down the left flank as a left back or as a left winger if needed. Moreover, he can play as a midfield anchor, or as a number ten, meaning he's flexible to play wherever across the midfield slots.

With 11 goals and ten assists next to his name, too, featuring for the U21s and U18s, it's clear he has an eye for a goal and assist, like the departed Charles, and he could save Southampton some cash, as a short-term internal solution to their midfield issues.

He impressed Will Still last pre-season, as well, with the ill-fated Belgian noting that Sesay displayed "good energy" during a pre-season runout versus Spanish side, Castellón.

Many Saints supporters would have expected him to make the step-up to that next level after a promising pre-season, but it was Bragg who would mature faster.

Now, the opportunity could open back up for Sesay to be in and around the first-team picture, as his malleable nature makes him a great asset to have around the building.

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