Why Southampton should make a move for Alan Dzagoev in January

Southampton have endured a slow start in the new Premier League season, managing only one win in four games. They narrowly avoided the drop last term under Ralph Hasenhuttl, who did a fantastic job to clean the mess created by his predecessor Mark Hughes.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has changed the club’s dynamics since his arrival at the south coast. He bolstered his squad by signing a few players during the summer transfer window but the results haven’t been favourable for Southampton thus far.

Certainly, it’s a process and will take time for the new players to adapt to the manager’s style of play.

The Saints’ major issue last season was lack of goals. Hasenhuttl addressed that problem by signing Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo, whilst turning Danny Ings’ loan deal into a permanent one from Liverpool.

Nathan Redmond was one of the rare bright spots last term and will be expected to step up this time around.

Despite the arrivals of some exciting faces, Hasenhuttl’s side have suffered from a lack of creativity in the final third.

Sofiane Boufal has shown flashes of his potential but we all know he is a very inconsistent player. Southampton clearly need a player who can unlock defences with regularity and come up with goals as well.

Back in 2016, a report from the Daily Mail had claimed that Southampton were interested in signing CSKA Moscow star, Alan Dzagoev. While a move didn’t materialise then, the Saints must reignite their interest in the Russian international in the January transfer window.

Alan Dzagoev, 29, was once regarded as one of the best talents to emerge from Russia. He has spent his entire career in Russia with CSKA Moscow, winning 10 major honours with the club. He suffered knee cruciate ligament injury last season that saw him manage just seven appearances.

The Russian international is set to return from a long injury layoff this month and while he has gone off the boil in the last two seasons, the midfielder still has plenty to offer at the highest level.

Dzagoev is a no.10 by trade but he is equally adept playing on the left or as a box-to-box midfielder.

He is technically gifted, quick, good in the air and with the innate ability to carve open tightest of defences. The 29-year-old would certainly bring some creativity to this Southampton team, whilst adding more goals.

Verdict

The CSKA Moscow star could be the big-name signing for the Saints, a player who would propel them a lot higher up the table than last season. Dzagoev would be an unbelievable addition to the Saints squad if Hasenhuttl can pull it off in January.