Southampton sold Dom Ballard to Leyton Orient this summer, and his recent form will be a kick in the teeth for the Saints.
Southampton have made a poor start to their first season back in the Championship since their relegation from the Premier League. The saints enter the international break17th in the rankings, with serious work to do on the pitch.
Still want to He is expected to lead his side back to the first division at the first ask, and risks an early dismissal if things do not improve soon. Just two wins from nine games in the league is below the usual standards at St. Mary’s.
The South Coast side were busy in the summer period with nine new signings and 19 departures. The Saints have made a significant profit on the sales of Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes. However, selling Dom Ballard could be a decision the Championship side comes to regret.
The 20-year-old signed a three-year contract with League One side Leyton Orient. Ballard left his boyhood club after 12 years, having played just two senior games for Southampton. The O’s new frontman previously had loan spells at Reading, Blackpool and Cambridge United, scoring a total of eight goals in 51 games.
The Saints spent £7m on Damion Downs to boost their quality up front, but Still’s side could potentially have had more faith in their younger players given their poor start to the season.
Dom Ballard has made a flying start for Leyton Orient
The O’s have had a poor start to their campaign, but new signing Ballard has been a bright spot for them. Three goals in six games is a fantastic result, and the youngster could be one to watch this season.
The 20-year-old hasn’t had the most successful loan spells in the EFL to date, but the move this summer appears to be paying off for the striker.
Leyton Orient will be keen to replace the lost goals of Charlie Kelman, who scored 27 goals last season. A similar figure for Ballard could save the League One team’s campaign.
Southampton will regret the permanent sale of their striker
It seems like a reckless decision by the Saints hierarchy to let Ballard leave on a permanent deal, given his age and potential.
Since 2020, the youngster has scored 60 times in 72 appearances across all age groups in the academy and has proven his natural goalscoring ability. Another loan move would have been the better option for Southampton to monitor his progress and then make a final decision.
Dom Ballard previous loan statistics – via Transfer market
Will Still would likely have had his say on the former Blackpool man’s departure, and if his time at the O’s continues to follow the same trajectory, this could be yet another mistake made by the man at the helm.
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