“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.
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Mousinho revels in a happy return
IT proved a joyous return to Oxford for Portsmouth boss John Mousinho as he celebrated his first win back at his old club.
DUFF LAUDS COURAGE OF HIS TERRIERS
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff praised his team for their response to the fans’ half-time frustrations after they came from behind to win at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
HORNETS STING IS PAIN FOR CARRICK
TOM Cleverley felt a nervous home crowd played a part in helping his Watford side end a run of five Championship games without a win with a hard-fought victory that piled pressure on Boro boss Michael Carrick.
SALECH MAKES A POINT WITH HIS LATE LEVELLER
CARDIFF boss Omer Riza says Yousef Saleh is “knocking down the door” for a first Championship start after the striker maintained his fine scoring form with a late equaliser against Bristol City.
Sargent takes Tigers by the tail again
JOSH Sargent once again proved a thorn in Hull City’s side, as his header earned play-off-chasing Norwich City a valuable point against the struggling Tigers.
AFTER INJURY KO, ACE STEVENS JUST WANTS A DECENT SHOT AT LGE ONE
MATTY Stevens has all the motivation he needs to fire AFC Wimbledon to promotion this season – he wants a proper crack at League One.
Talented technician who stars in the pocket
LUKE Cundle spent his formative years at Wolves watching Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves strut their stuff.
PREM DREAM EXCITES JOHN
WHILE he enters a relegation battle, John Eustace has set his long-term sights on taking Derby County back to the Premier League.
IT'S JOY FOR JOSH, SAM AND GEORGE
JOSH Windass, Sam Smith and George Abbott have been rewarded for their stunning strikes with the Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month awards for January.
ADAMS HAILS HIS BATTLING SHRIMPS SIDE
DEREK Adams was full of praise for his Morecambe side after their vital derby-day victory over Accrington Stanley.
