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Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu has completed a move to Southampton. Here is what the Saints can expect from their newest acquisition.
Southampton have completed the signing of Nigerian international Paul Onuachu on a three-and-half-year deal from KRC Genk.
The Super Eagles striker had been pining for a move to a top league following his exploits in Belgium for the past four years and now finally got his wish.
But what can be expected of Saint Paul in the South Coast of England and why did it take him so long to get a move in the first place?
A long overdue transfer
It is quite unusual in football for a player to score 33 league goals and not at the very least be strongly linked with transfers away from the club but that was the case with Onuachu at the end of the 2020/21 season.
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85 goals in 134 games across three-and-half seasons for Genk and the best he could get was the worst team in the Premier League according to the table.
But at the end of the day, Onuachu can only be grateful because at 28 years old, the window for a step up had started to close.
There is no definitive reason which explains why top clubs wouldn’t touch him with a six-foot pole despite his prolific streak in Belgium.
The most educated guess would be his style of play, Onuachu is a classic target man, towering six-foot-seven inches, the exact profile of striker that is being phased out of the game.
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His movement is limited and he typically dwells in the six-yard box, which is not obviously compatible with the sexy high-pressing, aesthetically pleasing football in vogue these days, but it is exactly what Southampton needs.
St Paul can be Southampton’s saviour
As earlier mentioned, Southampton are currently bottom of the Premier League table with 15 points but the positive side is they’re only two points from safety so that could change very soon.
Nathan Jones’ side have only scored 17 goals in 20 games this season so it’s quite clear where their problems lie and that is where Onuachu comes in.
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For all his limitations, one certain thing about the 28-year-old is that he will score when presented with chances.
Chance creation is the area Southampton have to work on and the addition of rapid winger Kamaldeen Sulemana from Stade Rennais will help with that.
Onuachu’s presence could also indicate a change of tactical approach from Nathan Jones, as the Saints could be going long for the rest of the season.
The most likely way to accommodate Onuachu in the current team is to switch to a 4-4-2 formation with Che Adams alongside him.
Classic route one football with a target man and a mobile striker pairing up front will increase Southampton’s goalscoring chances and their survival chances by extension.
“They bought me for a purpose and I’m going to try to do my best and show my purpose of them buying me,” Onuachu said on the move, acknowledging the situation needs him to rescue Southampton.
“Me and the Southampton team as a whole are going to fight to stay in the Prem,” the Nigerian striker continued.
His words will go a long way to inspire confidence in the Southampton faithful but it is on the pitch where his impact will be most needed.
Onuachu has the goalscoring track record and prolific ability to keep the Saints marching in given they can find the right way to utilise him in the remaining 18 games this season.
- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Pulse Sports
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