Southampton striker Cameron Archer has struggled to start recently.
Southampton may have to make a decision on the forward’s future before the January transfer window. His contract with the Championship side disappears June 2028 which means he still has a few years left.
Archer, 24, has failed to make the impact he would have wanted for the Saints this season following their relegation from the Premier League. They slipped out of the top flight earlier this year after finishing in the bottom three alongside Ipswich Town and Leicester City.
The attacker has played thirteen games in the league this season, but only started in five of them. He only scored once.
Southampton signed Archer in August last year following their promotion from the Football League. Last season he found the net five times in forty games in all competitions.
He rose through the ranks of Aston Villa’s youth academy and had successful loan spells Preston North End and Middlesbrough. Sheffield United then came calling on a permanent basis and he fired four goals in 32 games for the Blades during his time in South Yorkshire.
Southampton striker Cameron Archer should consider leaving
Southampton cannot offer Archer a permanent starting place. He faces competition from the in-form Adam Armstrong for his position at the top.
New boss Tonda Eckert doesn’t seem to be a fan of him and has so far appointed him to the bench. Therefore, the Walsall native should look to leave the Saints in the January transfer window to get more minutes elsewhere.
Archer is a proven goalscorer at this level and a change of scenery would do him good. He would walk straight to most teams in the second tier.
He needs a fresh start and a platform to show what he can do. It is no surprise to see him struggling for goals lately as it is very difficult to come on as a substitute and perform well when you are limited to only cameo appearances.
Cameron Archer is scoring in all competitions this season
What next for Southampton and Cameron Archer?
Southampton would certainly consider Archer’s situation if an offer came in for him from elsewhere next month. Selling him would free up space and money in their ranks to pave the way for reinforcements better suited to Eckert.
The Saints lost 2-1 at Norwich City last time. They will be keen to recover this weekend as they prepare to play Coventry City at home.
Their upcoming opponents are flying high at the top of the league above Middlesbrough. Meanwhile, Eckert’s men are 10th and four points away from the play-offs.
#Southampton #man #face #move #January #due #lack #starts #Opinion #News #The72 #Football #League #News