Dragan Solak names Southampton player he feels 'can play for a Champions League club' | OneFootball

The Southampton owner has outlined one player he believes could play amongst Europe's elite

There arguably wasn't a stronger squad in the Championship last season in terms of quality options than Southampton's.

The Saints' impeccable run during the second half of the campaign, when they went unbeaten in 19 games to secure their play-off place after being a mid-table side at the turn of the year, was undermined by the way things ended: they were expelled from the play-off final after being found guilty of spying.

However, what can't be undermined is the strength in depth that Tonda Eckert had at his disposal. When fully fit, the Saints were relentless, and it was often the calibre of players they were bringing off the bench that pushed them over the line to win games or helped maintain and build on leads they'd already gained.

That was definitely the case in the play-off semi-finals against Middlesbrough, as Boro raced out of the traps and had their fair share of chances in the early stages of both legs, but would tire, and didn't have the quality off the bench to maintain the intensity. Southampton did, which led to their triumph in extra time.

Evidently, Tonda Eckert has many good players at his disposal, and, according to the Saints owner, Dragan Solak, some are even good enough to play in the UEFA Champions League.

Dragan Solak believes Sam Edozie is good enough to play Champions League football

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Speaking to the Southern Daily Echo about Southampton's transfer strategy this summer, Dragan Solak admitted that he isn't in a massive rush to make numerous big signings to help bolster what is already an impressive Championship squad at St Mary's.

He believes that only a quality number 10 to help take the load off of Finn Azaz, who started all but two games in that impressive unbeaten league run, alongside the run to the semi-finals in the FA Cup, is needed this summer.

This is due to the quality in depth that he believes his side has, and he would go on to list it all to emphasise his point, and his comments about the left-wing position were glowing, to say the least.

"We need a number 10 because Finn, when he is in top form, is one Finn, but he cannot be the same after 20 games playing every few days," he explained. "He wants to play every minute, but it's not realistic, so now I would only find another number 10.

"We already have two guys on the left. I have Sam Edozie, who can probably play in a Champions League club somewhere, behind Leo Scienza."

Edozie, a product of the Manchester City academy after he was poached from Millwall back in 2019, signed on the south coast in the summer of 2022, months after Solak bought the club, for a reported fee of up to £10 million.

Unfortunately, Southampton haven't been on the best trajectory since the 2022/23 season, as that campaign saw their 11-year stay in the top flight come to an end, and they've yo-yo'd up and down since.

The 23-year-old has endured a turbulent time alongside the club, too, from being a prospect arguably not ready for the Premier League to a solid bench option under Russell Martin and then being sent out on loan when they returned to the top flight in 2024/25 to Anderlecht, where he played Europa League football.

Not the Champions League just yet, but the Saints owner believes that the former City prospect could have it in his future.

Dragan Solak's admission could hint at a big season for Sam Edozie

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Edozie's struggles at Southampton continued this past season, as he played fewer than 450 minutes in all competitions. However, he was a key part in the run-in after being seemingly frozen out of the squad until February.

Following the end of the campaign, the 23-year-old wrote on his Instagram, "It’s been a difficult season, personally and collectively.

"From the start, I’ve been fit, ready to play and hungry to give my all out on the pitch, but for reasons out of my control, that hasn’t happened," which indicates that his absence under Will Still and in the early parts of Tonda Eckert's reign wasn't down to injury.

He managed two assists off the bench towards the end of the campaign and was relied on as a substitute in both legs of their play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough.

With Scienza ahead of him, it may be difficult for Edozie to establish himself as the first choice on the left, but his presence off the bench will definitely help Southampton maintain their quality throughout 90 minutes and during the season if the tricky Brazilian isn't available.

And, if the Saints owner believes he can play amongst Europe's elite, perhaps he'll be expecting Tonda Eckert to utilise him a lot more next year as Southampton aim to return to the top flight.