Southampton forward Che Adams could depart this summer as his contract is set to expire.
Adams dropped a subtle hint on his future last month speaking in an interview with Southampton‘s media team.
The 27-year-old forward has been linked with a number of Premier League suitors in recent months, so Russell Martin and his chiefs need to be prepared to find a replacement.
Though, they needn’t dip into the transfer market, as they already have his heir in a 19-year-old star dubbed a ‘shining jewel’ of the Staplewood academy.
Dom Ballard can be Che Adams’ replacement
Southampton fans will be very familiar with Dom Ballard, who has been making noise in the academy over the past few years.
Ballard has already made four first-team appearances for the South Coasters and netted in an EFL Cup win against Cambridge United back in August 2022.
Since then, the England youth international has been tearing it up for Saints’ academy teams. Here are his incredible stats, as per Transfermarkt.
It became evident Ballard was ready for senior football and so he was shipped out on loan to League One outfit Reading at the start of this season.
He managed a commendable three goals in six starts before rupturing his patellar tendon, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
The highly-rated teenage striker is expected to return this summer, so if he can get a full pre-season under his belt, there’s no reason to suggest he can’t replace Adams.
How is Dom Ballard’s recovery from injury doing?
It’s been a long road for Ballard, who has been sidelined since November.
Speaking to the club’s media team, he outlined his recovery plan: “It’s important for me to be back for pre-season and to be back with the lads again. Who knows where it will take me.
“My goal at the moment is just to be back for pre-season. I really enjoyed my time at Reading, I was gutted for it to end so quickly.”
Ballard continued: “Since I’ve been backat Southampton it’s been really good. I’ve been working with the staff who have helped me get through it.
“(Playing at Reading) was my first taste of senior football – I really enjoyed it. If the opportunity is not here I will go out and make my way back.”
If Ballard impresses Martin in pre-season, there’s every chance he can become a fixture of his squad moving forward.
The Saints boss has been willing to promote players from the under-21s since he arrived and clearly places great emphasis on using the club’s prestigious Staplewood academy.