Eduard Spertsyan: The Creative Spark Will Still Believes Could Fire Southampton’s Promotion Push | OneFootball

Southampton’s summer transfer window has been quiet, but not for lack of ambition. In the process of cutting down last season’s bloated squad, Will Still is now reportedly targeting Armenian playmaker Eduard Spertsyan.

The 25-year-old Krasnodar captain isn’t just a technical talent; he’s a set-piece specialist, a Champions League record-breaker, and one of Eastern Europe’s most creative midfielders. If Still gets his man, St. Mary’s could finally have the attacking spark they’ve been missing.

But why have the Saints set their sights on him? Where would he fit in Will Still’s system – and could he raise the level of the current starting eleven?

Who is Eduard Spertsyan?

Born on June 7, 2000, in Stavropol, Russia, Spertsyan is one of Armenia’s brightest footballing talents and a key figure for both FC Krasnodar and the Armenian national team. Praised for his vision, creativity, and dribbling specialities, Spertsyan broke into the first team of Krasnodar in 2020.

That same year, he made his UEFA Champions League group stage debut against Chelsea at the age of 20, becoming the youngest Armenian to play in the competition and surpassing Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s record by around a year. Despite being born in Russia, the 25-year-old committed to the Armenian international team, due to his father’s descent, earning his first senior cap in March 2021 and commemorating it with a goal in a 3–2 win over Romania.

He has been crucial for Krasnodar, captaining them to the 2024–25 Russian Premier League title and earning multiple individual awards, including Armenian Footballer of the Year and Russian Premier League Midfielder of the Season in two separate campaigns.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JUNE 08: Stuart Armstrong of Scotland shoots as Eduard Spertsyan of Armenia tries to block during the UEFA Nations League League B Group 1 match between Scotland and Armenia at Hampden Park National Stadium on June 08, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

How Does He Improve Southampton?

The Saints lack depth in the No. 10 role. Their primary option, Mateus Fernandes, is attracting interest from a host of clubs, and with Will Still often deploying winger Ryan Fraser in that position, it’s clear they need reinforcements. Eduard Spertsyan could be the answer.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Spertsyan has the versatility to operate effectively on the wing too. Will Still has shown he values such adaptability – during the recent 2-1 win over Wrexham, he used Ryan Fraser at right-back and Cameron Archer on the left wing.

What He Offers

The Armenian international is both a goal scorer and creator. Last season, the 25-year-old ranked 1st for goals, among Premier Liga midfielders, and 3rd for goals and assists. Operating in the 82nd percentile for attacking actions per 90, shows Spertsyan’s attacking-minded style, which fits perfectly with Still’s fast-paced, forward-focused philosophy.

A dead-ball specialist, Spertsyan has provided 3 goals and 5 assists from free-kicks and corners over the past two seasons, offering Southampton another route to break down relentless Championship defences. While his attacking output is his biggest strength, the Armenian also contributes defensively, averaging in the 73rd percentile for offensive duels and in the 65th percentile offensive duels won. His willingness to press high and track back makes him a fit for Still’s emphasis on aggressive off-ball work.

In the Championship, Southampton will often face low-block defences, yet the squad currently lacks creativity, relying heavily on youngster Jay Robinson to generate chances from the wing. The Armenian midfielder brings a unique profile compared to players like Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Díaz, with an evasive dribbling style and strong confidence in 1v1 situations.

Stats of Eduard Spertsyan 24/25 by DataMB

He ranked in the 78th percentile for dribbles attempted per 90, highlighting his relentless drive to unlock defences. Although his dribbling success sat in the 31st percentile, his determination to take on opponents contrasts with the more passive approach still seen among Saints players. This mindset could encourage his teammates and elevate the team’s overall attacking threat and goal-scoring potential.

Potential Improvements

Spertsyan ranks in the 80th percentile for progressive carries per 90, showcasing his preference for advancing the ball with driving runs instead of short combinations. His short passing volume (49th percentile) and overall pass attempts (45th percentile) are lower than many creative midfielders, suggesting he is more involved in transitional and direct play than in slower, possession-based buildup.

In aerial battles, Spertsyan ranks in the 22nd percentile for duels won, with an overall aerial duel success rate in the 14th percentile. While not a key asset in the air, his game is built more around ground duels and exploiting space for second-ball recoveries rather than direct aerial dominance. He sits in the 18th percentile for defensive duels, reflecting his more attacking-minded role. That said, his willingness to press high and track back ensures he still contributes to disrupting opposition build-up.

Stats of Eduard Spertsyan 24/25 by DataMB

Where Does He Fit?

The Saints won’t have a distinct formation this season. Despite primarily using a 4-2-3-1 throughout pre-season, Still utilised a 3-back against Wrexham, indicating that the chosen formation will be based on the opposition and game plan for each match.

A creative presence is always needed, however. With Tyler Dibling likely to leave, the addition of Eduard Spertsyan could be crucial in replacing the Englishman and filling the central position behind the striker. Thanks to his versatility, Spertsyan could be deployed as a wide creative midfielder – capable of playing freely, dropping deep, making underlapping or overlapping runs, and supporting the striker with his shooting and passing. His passing abilities could combine well with Cameron Archer’s runs in-behind

Potential Lineup With Spertsyan by Lineup11

Although right-footed, the 25-year-old is equally comfortable on his left foot, much like 18-year-old Jay Robinson. His profile would provide valuable rest for Robinson’s development while maintaining creativity and threat in that area when needed.

For Will Still, this isn’t just a one-off transfer target, but a player he was reportedly after even at Lens. And for Southampton, Eduard Spertsyan could be the spark that ignites their promotion push.