Ben Brereton Diaz impressed in the Premier League for Sheffield United last season, joining the club on loan from Villarreal.
He is now back in the English top-flight, having joined Southampton after they paid £7m for the Chile international, who had made three appearances for them so far in the current campaign.
Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig has now spoken about the club’s sale of the striker and he suggested that the Saints man was ‘unlucky’ in Spain and that held him back somewhat.
Roig told Levante EMV: “Brereton Diaz was there for a short time and it’s true that he didn’t quite gel.”
He further said: “Maybe if they had given him the legal goal that won the game at the Pizjuán last season, he would have gained confidence. He was unlucky.”
That was Roig getting a dig in over what he feels was a poor officiating decision against his team. The Yellow Submarines’ CEO also stated that the ex-Sheffield United man wasn’t quite the best fit for their system.
“Because of our way of playing, he might not have fit in completely and then he goes to the Premier League, with the experience of having been a very good Championship player.”
The 25-year-old didn’t score once for Villarreal during his time there and while he is yet to find the back of the net for the Saints, there is enough evidence to suggest that he can be a decent option in the Premier League.
The fact that he scored six times for the Blades last season would give hope to Southampton fans.
