Ex-Portsmouth star was 'one of my favourite strikers' - Southampton FC would've 'loved to see him' at Saints instead | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton Fan Pundit reveals the one former Portsmouth player he'd have loved to watch in a red and white shirt

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

FLW’s Southampton Fan Pundit Martin Sanders has revealed the one ex-player from South Coast rivals Portsmouth that he wished could have turned out for the Saints.

September saw the first league game between the two Hampshire clubs in 13 years, so it’s perhaps obvious that the player he chose hasn’t played for some time.

The hatred between each two doesn’t really need an introduction, but the question posed was simple...

Who is the one Portsmouth player since he started watching football that he wished could have played for Southampton?

Without hesitation, Sanders mentioned a striker who graced Fratton Park for just one season during the final years of his career.

Southampton "would've loved" ex-Portsmouth star Teddy Sheringham

Sanders acknowledged the difficulty of the question before delivering his verdict on ex-England international Teddy Sheringham - who arrived atPortsmouthaged37.

"It’s a real tough one, that question," Sanders told FLW.

"Teddy Sheringham played for Portsmouth, I think he was a magnificent player, such an intelligent player."

Sheringham's solitary season at Portsmouth came during the club's first campaign back in the Premier League after promotion, in 03/04, and he still managed to score ten goals across all competitions.

"I know he was coming to the end of his career when he was at Pompey, still so good," Sanders added.

Harry Redknapp brought Sheringham to Fratton Park on a free transfer following his second spell at Tottenham, and the manager allowed him to train as and when required, provided he was ready to perform on matchdays.

"I enjoyed my year down at Portsmouth," Sheringham said in a later interview with West Ham United.

"Harry (Redknapp) was very good to me. He told me I could train as and when I wanted as long as I was ready to play, and I think that’s something he has always done with his players," Sheringham added.

The striker ended up scoring Portsmouth's first-ever Premier League goal on the opening day against Aston Villa, all before that memorable hat-trick against Bolton put them top of the table.

"I think without question, one of my favourite strikers, but I would’ve loved to see him play for Saints to be honest." Martin continued.

As pictured, Sheringham even appeared against Southampton that season, though didn't score. - if he did, Sanders’ answer might’ve been different.

Teddy Sheringham was "just magnificent" in Euro 96 for England

When explaining his admiration for Sheringham, Sanders specifically referenced the striker's performances at Euro 96 - not Pompey - where he formed a devastating partnership with Alan Shearer.

"Yeah, he was brilliant in that Euro 96 side with Alan Shearer wasn’t he, just magnificent. I can’t think of anyone else really, but I did like Sheringham," the Fan Pundit concluded.

You could argue that the pair's finest hour for the side that Sanders refers to came in the 4-1 demolition of the Netherlands at Wembley, where they both scored twice.

The Southampton fan's memories of that partnership clearly left a lasting impression, as he struggled to think of any other Portsmouth player who matched Sheringham's quality when pressed for anyone else.

After leaving Portsmouth in 2004, Sheringham joined his boyhood club West Ham - where he incredibly won the Championship Player of the Season award at the age of 38, after scoring 20 goals and getting the Hammers promoted.

All in all, Sanders' choice of Sheringham is definitely an appreciation for pure footballing ability rather than anything he did in a blue shirt - seeing as though the striker won three Premier League titles and a Champions League at Manchester United before joining the blue side of Hampshire.