While the likes of Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz have stolen most of the headlines this season so far, Tonda Eckert hasn't gone against using some of Southampton's homegrown talents.
Indeed, against Blackburn Rovers, as Southampton had secured all three points by the latter stages of the contest, the German gifted promising youngster Jay Robinson a run-out.
The 19-year-old didn't have much of an opportunity to impress, with only three minutes of late action handed to him, but the teenager does have two goals and one assist this season, when being gifted 26 chances in the first team fold.
He's some way off hitting the heights of Tyler Dibling, with Dibling becoming the latest major sale from Southampton's fruitful academy scene last season, when Everton forked out £35m on the tricky winger.
Dibling's rise at Southampton
Southampton have a rich history when it comes to offloading homegrown talents for high amounts, with Gareth Bale going to Tottenham Hotspur for around £10m back in 2007, before becoming a superstar at Real Madrid.
Dibling would've been viewed as the next on the pipeline after he bagged a seriously impressive 21 strikes for both the U18s and U21s, before being shoved into the deep-end of the main team under Russell Martin.
He never ended up looking back, with the homegrown sensation a breath of fresh air last season - in particular - when he was constantly trying to take defences on, even as Southampton finished at the very bottom of the Premier League table.
A goal made in Southampton ✨ pic.twitter.com/UVdaVmPFmc
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 21, 2024
Four goals and three assists would come his way in the senior picture before Everton took a gamble, and he hasn't quite set the world alight just yet with the Toffees, with zero goals or assists currently next to his name from 17 senior appearances.
Southampton cashed in well then, and they could gain some more cash in the near future with this other highly talented youngster, who looked calm and assured with the ball at his feet versus Blackburn.
Eckert's very own Dibling
Eckert wasn't fazed one bit by the fact that he had to change his team selection up drastically for the visit of the Riversiders.
Azaz limped off towards the end of the 2-1 win over Derby, and so was ruled out of this match, to the dismay of the German.
In his place came Cameron Bragg, as Eckert tinkered with his system slightly, and the 21-year-old - who has been at Southampton since a child - was a confident operator all match long.
Indeed, he would only misplace five of his 54 passes against Michael O'Neill's visitors, with his pass accuracy average for the season coming in at an unerring 92%.
Having picked up 27 assists for the U18s and U21s previously, it isn't the biggest shock to see Bragg instantly acclimatise to his new surroundings in the men's set-up.
With Southampton's long-standing reputation for producing the finest youngsters, it also wouldn't be a surprise to see a higher up suitor show some interest in the Scotsman down the line, especially if the Saints win promotion, and he doesn't look out of place in a relegation battle.
Another Dibling-style sale could soon be on the cards, but until then, Southampton will continue to get the very best out of the likes of Bragg and Robinson, with St. Mary's clearly still a fertile place for starlets to thrive.
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