CroJack
Key Player
Here are some quotes from an article about Michael Obafemi.
"The news that Michael Obafemi has departed St Mary's and joined Swansea City on a permanent deal was not unexpected by Saints supporters, but it did have a touch of disappointment about it as it was only 3 years ago that Southampton supporters were amazed by his emergence into the first team and had high hoped for his future."
"The first sighting of the then 17 year old was in January 2018 when he came on as an 82nd minute sub in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's replacing Manolo Gabbiadini."
"He would have to wait until November when he would have an 17 minute cameo off the bench at Manchester City, suddenly he was in first team contention and he would make his full debut in the League Cup at Leicester City later than month."
"Obafemi made his full Premier league debut against Manchester United at St Mary's, and led an explosive start that saw the Saints 2-0 up within 20 minutes."
"At Huddersfield he was back on the bench, but came on after 65 minutes to score in a 3-1 win, but just as he was getting going injury struck and he would play only once more this season, coming on at half time away to Arsenal, but only lasting 20 minutes before coming off again."
"This would set a pattern for Obafemi, he seemed to have muscle problems that were put down to growing pains, but the rumour's were that all were not what they seemed off the field."
"2019/20 would see him play regularly and when he scored a superb goal in a 2-0 win at Chelsea many thought his problems would be behind him and he played a part as Ralph Hasenhuttl's side moved up the Premier League including a last minute equaliser at Old Trafford."
"The following season he played only 5 times all off the bench and totalling only 62 minutes with no goals and Ralph Hasenhuttl would talk about his need to be more professional in his approach.
Indeed he almost went to Swansea City on loan in the January but injury again hit and the deal fell through."
"This season saw Ralph Hasenhuttl give up, at 21 Obafemi had not progressed in the way that the manager and club would have hoped and although injury played a part in that, his professionalism off the pitch was allegedly also a problem."
"Good luck to Michael Obafemi, there is a good player in there and he certainly has the quality to play in the Premier League again, especially if he can find the right application. At Southampton he lost his way and couldn't quite throw off the consequences of that, he needed a new start and hopefully at Swansea City he can have that and prosper."
Read more here:
www.fansnetwork.co.uk
Here is what the Saints fans think about his departure:
"Sorry to see him go and at a very low fee. He is worth more than the reported fee Swansea paid. He is a young international with potential."
"It does sound cheap, Swansea probably pointed out his injury record. I can see him doing well at that level, he's physically strong and if they play him in right area he'll poach goals for them."
"He might be one that comes back to haunt Saints. He had a bit of the Billy Sharp about him, likely to pop up in the six yard box and nick a goal."
"His only real asset is pace and with his body mass he needs to develop other areas of his game because in my, inexpert, view he'll continue to suffer muscle injuries. Where he has undoubted speed he lacks stamina and just isn't able to contribute for a full ninety minutes."
"Hope we have put a 20% sell on clause in the deal as he has potential to score plenty of goals and get a big move back to the Prem in a few years."
It's all a bit strange. What we have seen of him we have all liked. But it's the stuff that we haven't seen that seems to have done for him.
"As he's in his last year, poor injury record and little regular game time, the fee is probably about right in these cash strapped times. A sell on clause will hopefully ease any future pain."
"The news that Michael Obafemi has departed St Mary's and joined Swansea City on a permanent deal was not unexpected by Saints supporters, but it did have a touch of disappointment about it as it was only 3 years ago that Southampton supporters were amazed by his emergence into the first team and had high hoped for his future."
"The first sighting of the then 17 year old was in January 2018 when he came on as an 82nd minute sub in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's replacing Manolo Gabbiadini."
"He would have to wait until November when he would have an 17 minute cameo off the bench at Manchester City, suddenly he was in first team contention and he would make his full debut in the League Cup at Leicester City later than month."
"Obafemi made his full Premier league debut against Manchester United at St Mary's, and led an explosive start that saw the Saints 2-0 up within 20 minutes."
"At Huddersfield he was back on the bench, but came on after 65 minutes to score in a 3-1 win, but just as he was getting going injury struck and he would play only once more this season, coming on at half time away to Arsenal, but only lasting 20 minutes before coming off again."
"This would set a pattern for Obafemi, he seemed to have muscle problems that were put down to growing pains, but the rumour's were that all were not what they seemed off the field."
"2019/20 would see him play regularly and when he scored a superb goal in a 2-0 win at Chelsea many thought his problems would be behind him and he played a part as Ralph Hasenhuttl's side moved up the Premier League including a last minute equaliser at Old Trafford."
"The following season he played only 5 times all off the bench and totalling only 62 minutes with no goals and Ralph Hasenhuttl would talk about his need to be more professional in his approach.
Indeed he almost went to Swansea City on loan in the January but injury again hit and the deal fell through."
"This season saw Ralph Hasenhuttl give up, at 21 Obafemi had not progressed in the way that the manager and club would have hoped and although injury played a part in that, his professionalism off the pitch was allegedly also a problem."
"Good luck to Michael Obafemi, there is a good player in there and he certainly has the quality to play in the Premier League again, especially if he can find the right application. At Southampton he lost his way and couldn't quite throw off the consequences of that, he needed a new start and hopefully at Swansea City he can have that and prosper."
Read more here:
Farewell To Michael Obafemi - Southampton News
Saints have said their goodbyes to Michael Obafemi as the Republic Of Ireland International joined Swansea City on the last day of the transfer window for an undisclosed fee, not the ending that many would have hoped for a little under 3 years ago.
Here is what the Saints fans think about his departure:
"Sorry to see him go and at a very low fee. He is worth more than the reported fee Swansea paid. He is a young international with potential."
"It does sound cheap, Swansea probably pointed out his injury record. I can see him doing well at that level, he's physically strong and if they play him in right area he'll poach goals for them."
"He might be one that comes back to haunt Saints. He had a bit of the Billy Sharp about him, likely to pop up in the six yard box and nick a goal."
"His only real asset is pace and with his body mass he needs to develop other areas of his game because in my, inexpert, view he'll continue to suffer muscle injuries. Where he has undoubted speed he lacks stamina and just isn't able to contribute for a full ninety minutes."
"Hope we have put a 20% sell on clause in the deal as he has potential to score plenty of goals and get a big move back to the Prem in a few years."
It's all a bit strange. What we have seen of him we have all liked. But it's the stuff that we haven't seen that seems to have done for him.
"As he's in his last year, poor injury record and little regular game time, the fee is probably about right in these cash strapped times. A sell on clause will hopefully ease any future pain."
