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Southampton keeping hold of highly-rated 22-year-old amidst interest is a no-brainer

Why Southampton should keep Sims amidst Sheffield Wednesday links

According to The Star, Southampton winger Josh Sims has attracted interest from Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

The highly-rated winger is one of the latest among Premier League youngsters who have been linked with a move to the Hillsborough club. Sims, who is 22 now, is a product of the much-acclaimed Southampton academy, which he joined in 2011 as a 14-year-old.

Touted as a player of huge potential, Sims rose quickly through the Saints ranks and was a part of the England youth sides during which he won the European Championship playing for the under-17 side in 2014.

Josh Sims in action for Southampton.
Josh Sims in action for Southampton. (Getty Images)

Having made his debut for the Southampton senior side in November 2016 against Everton, Sims caught the attention of the footballing world with an assist within seconds of entering the pitch.

However, since then, he has failed to hold down a place in the squad, constantly being shuffled from the top-division to the under-23 sides and has made a total of 27 appearances for the senior side until now.

Last season, the youngster was sent on loan to Championship side Reading in order to get more game time. Sims made good use of the opportunity and putting up a display, featuring 17 times and providing 3 assists until he was recalled by his parent club in January.

Sims during a Southampton training session.
Sims during a Southampton training session. (Getty Images)

Returning from his loan move, the winger went on to play 7 times for the Saints but failed to create any major breakthrough, except creating an assist.

However, with the arrival of new summer signing Moussa Djenepo in the summer, Sims saw his first-team chances getting increasingly limited due to which he was once again sent on a short-term loan, this time to the MLS.

He played a total of 7 league matches for them, assisting once when he was recalled by Southampton last December. Back in his childhood side, he is yet to feature in a game for the Saints but has grabbed the attention of the Garry Monk-led Sheffield Wednesday side.

With the Saints currently having as many as four wingers in the side at the moment including Sims, it needs to be seen as to whether the young winger will be included in coach Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans for the coming half of the season.

Sims tries a shot during a Premier League game against Newcastle United.
Sims tries a shot during a Premier League game against Newcastle United. (Getty Images)

The right-wing has been a problem area for the Austrian coach who has constantly shuffled his squad, handing out the duties to summer signing Djenepo and Sofiane Boufal.

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Though Djenepo has started more games, he has not completely been able to nail down that position for himself. Now with Sims too in the mix, Hasenhuttl has plenty of options in his attack, which he could make good use of according to the game’s requirements.

Moreover, this could also be a screening time for Sims, who so far has failed to establish himself as a regular within the side after being rated highly during his younger days with the club.

Blessed with excellent crossing skills, pace and creativity, Sims is a hard-working winger who also contributes to his side defensively, the report added. Being a winger and still helping out his side defensively would mean a lot to a side that has already conceded 38 goals this season.

Verdict

Now that Southampton has recalled Sims from his loan spell, they should wait at least until the end of this season to make a decision amidst Sheffield Wednesday interests.

Hence, the Saints should keep him in the side rather than letting him go, especially at this juncture.