Southampton can inflict pain on Derby County after Man City transfer | OneFootball

The signing of Divin Mubama by Southampton could leave Derby County feeling regret come next summer

Southampton will be aiming to be in the mix for automatic promotion in the Championship this season.

The Saints were expelled from the play-offs after earning their place in the final due to breaching the EFL’s rules against spying on opposition training sessions.

However, Tonda Eckert’s side were unbeaten in their final 21 league games of the campaign, and even reached the FA Cup semi-finals as well.

The Hampshire outfit will be confident that they can carry this form into the new term despite the controversy surrounding their failure to gain promotion to the top flight.

There will be stiff competition in the battle for a top eight finish, with the likes of West Ham, Wolves and Burnley all targeting a promotion push.

Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Norwich City, Wrexham and Derby County will all also want to be in the mix in what could be a fiercely competitive campaign ahead.

Southampton can give Derby County a transfer regret

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It has been reported by journalist Alfie House that Southampton are closing in on the signing of Divin Mubama on loan from Manchester City.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan with Stoke City, where he contributed five goals and one assist from 26 appearances up front in the Championship.

But it was Derby that were linked with a move for the striker earlier this summer, which now looks like it won’t be coming to fruition.

The Rams are without Patrick Agyemang due to a long-term injury, and bolstering their attacking options would’ve made sense.

John Eustace’s side have added the likes of Bobby Clark, Filip Bilbija and Charlie Taylor this summer, but another centre-forward could be quite helpful, particularly as Carlton Morris also had a long-term injury last year, and Rhian Brewster’s fitness has been an issue.

Mubama on loan from Man City had the potential to be a smart option for the Derbyshire outfit, but now instead he is closing in on a move to St. Mary’s.

And Southampton can inflict some serious pain on the Rams if Mubama can hit the ground running under Eckert.

What Divin Mubama can bring to Southampton

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While it’s likely that Cyle Larin and Lewis Dobbin will be forward options for Southampton this season, Mubama could also play a key role for the Saints.

The 21-year-old had a promising season on loan with Stoke, and is still quite young and has plenty of room to grow and develop.

And while injuries curtailed the second half of his season with the Potters, he showed plenty of promise in the first half of the campaign.

The youngster had a combined expected goals and expected assists (xG+xA) of 0.37, which is a solid standard to set in what was his first proper year of senior level football (all stats from Fotmob).

The forward also took 1.93 shots per 90, which he will want to improve under Eckert, but is again a good base to work from and build on.

One of Mubama’s key strengths was his physicality, which he took advantage of with 5.84 duels won per 90 last season, as well as 2.31 aerial duels won.

It also proved quite difficult to take the ball off the Man City player, who was dispossessed only 0.94 times per 90.

These are all the tools of a strong target man forward that can then help link up play, which could make him a valuable asset in the Championship next season.

And if he can make a difference in Southampton’s push for promotion, then Derby could be looking on quite enviously in the months to come.