“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
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.
