Towards the end of the transfer window, when Nathan Jones was still the manager at Southampton, the Premier League side were scrambling around trying to bring some players in.
They needed help in attack, which is why Kamaldeen Sulemana and Paul Onuachu were bought for a fair chunk of money, only for the Saints to sack their manager a couple of weeks later.
Southampton are currently rock bottom of the Premier League after 22 games, picking up just 15 points, but still have a good chance of climbing out of it if they can get a good run of form going.
That’s what the board will hope the Jones sacking followed by finding his adequate subsequent replacement will do, but they will also want Onuachu to perform.
He was instrumental at Genk in Belgium, where he was finding the back of the net for fun, which could impact how his former team do.
This is what Marc Degryse was telling Het Laatste Nieuws on Monday, relayed by Walfoot: “Onuachu’s exit can cause some doubts. You have to play with Samatta, because he’s now the starter, but he won’t become Onuachu.”
Genk are now in a battle with Royale Union Sainte-Gilloise to win the title, and have a six point advantage on them, but the recent loss to Antwerp has raised a few questions.
He added: “Union certainly have fewer problems with the exit of Vanzeir, while the loss of Onuachu could cost Genk a few points.”
Before signing for Southampton in an €18m transfer, the towering striker had found the back of the net 17 times in 22 appearances for the Belgian side in all competitions, averaging a goal every 74 minutes in the league.
He has yet to score for the Saints, but with that track record, the St Mary’s side will be hoping for him to hit the ground running sooner rather than later.
