“Sam is a good player with a huge amount of potential and talent,” said the Southampton manager. “He’s not played a huge amount of games but he is going to hurt some people this season and it’s up to us to make sure he does that regularly and consistently.”
It might have taken until Christmas, but the former Manchester City winger is finally proving his boss right.
Edozie spent most of last month kicking his heels on the bench after his impressive summer form tailed off.
But having equalised against Coventry just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute, the 20-year-old then marked his first start since October with the opening goal in last weekend’s 4-0 demolition of Blackburn.
“I’ve had to be patient,” admitted Edozie. “But I’ve worked hard and I knew that if I got my chance I would take it.”
For Saints, too, patience was required. Schooled at City – after taking his early steps at Millwall - where he starred in their all-conquering Premier League 2 side, Edozie was handed his full debut in the 2021 Community Shield and later described as an “incredible player” by Pep Guardiola.
A £10m move to Southampton followed in the summer of 2022, but it quickly became evident that while Edozie was abundantly gifted, he was also raw.
Denne historien er fra December 24, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 24, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SCHUEY TIPPED FOR PILGRIMS RETURN
STEVEN Schumacher is the odds-on favourite to take over at Plymouth Argyle following the departure of Wayne Rooney.
MAT'S SUPER SADDLERS GO MARCHING ON
DELIGHTED Walsall boss Mat Sadler praised his troops for an 'incredible victory' after the runaway leaders came from behind to stun Notts County.
CAM'S GOAL LEAVES MIKE FEELING BLUE
CARLISLE manager Mike Williamson said he could understand the frustration of the traveling fans after his side were booed off following a narrow defeat to Tranmere at Prenton Park.
MOORE WANTS SOME MORE
DARREN Moore hopes the win at promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers will prove to be a turning point for his Port Vale side.
SHRIMPS BID TO STIR THINGS UP
DEREK Adams wants his Morecambe side to build on a 'really big result' against Tranmere on New Year's Day when they visit Newport this afternoon.
'Don't blame this all on Freddie'
PAUL Heckingbottom leaped to the defence of Freddie Woodman after the Preston goalkeeper's mistake so nearly resulted in defeat against Oxford.
FORSON DOUBLE STUNS SKY BLUES
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup told goal hero Amankwah Forson to enjoy the moment after the substitute scored twice in injury-time to earn his side a scarcely believable win over Coventry City.
MCNALLY FIRES IN AS ROBINS FLY HIGH
LIAM Manning predicted a quiet transfer window in terms of signings after seeing his improving Bristol City side move up to eighth in the table - just three points off the playoff zone.
Danny downcast at wasteful Owls
FRUSTRATED Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl admitted he was \"more disappointed than happy\" after watching his side waste a succession of first-half chances before scraping a draw against Millwall.
ALLEN NO ORDINARY JOE, SAYS WILLIAMS
SWANSEA boss Luke Williams paid tribute to supersub Joe Allen after his injury-time goal claimed a point against West Bromwich Albion.
