Sadio Mane made a fine comeback to the Southampton team in the second half of the season. Beit injury or just a lack of form, the Senegalese star did score some important goals for Ronald Koeman’s side as they look to play Europa League football next season.
The 24-year-oldmight have other plans as many of the top clubs in England are looking to sign him up, Manchester United and Arsenal being just a couple of sides in the reckoning for his coveted signature.
Mane did look like he was set to leave the south coast club at the start of the season but Koeman ensured that he stayed at the club. The attacker scored 16 goals for the team this season, not a bad return for a winger and he also had six assists to his name. This just proved that Mane isn’t a one season wonder after his 10 goals in his first season for the Saints.
Why Mane would be a great option for any club
The need to have quality in all parts of a field is extremely important and with Mane you would get that out wide. The 24-year-old has the pace and trickery to make life difficult for any top defenders in the league and with an eye for goal, he would get a decent return, especially if he comes on late in games against tiring teams.
Southampton did find an amazing player when they brought him in from Red Bull Salzburg and the winger has only gotten better in his second season in England. Mane though is inconsistent to say the least and that wouldn’t work in his favour when and if he does move to a bigger club in the near future.
His manager also had this to say after his team won 4-2 against Manchester City according to Reuters:
“Sadio is a little bit unpredictable sometimes,” Koeman said, “He’s still a young player, and young players they need sometimes to be more consistent.
“Sadio was focused and clinical (on Sunday). That was one of my criticisms of all of the strikers but we are very productive at home with more chances to score more.”
This is one player that the Dutch manager had to fight hard to keep last season and even in the winter transfer window but it could just be a matter of time before the Senegalese star does move for greener pastures as he does look like a Champions League player at times and his unpredictability could be something that some of the top clubs use to their benefit.
Mane might not be a regular starter for top clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, but he surely can get better with time and make a starting spot his own next season.