Guido Carrillo form must have Southampton fans scratching their heads

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Southampton’s January transfer business this term will need to be a lot better than last season. Southampton broke their transfer record to sign Guido Carrillo from Monaco last season. He cost a reported £19.2 million and Southampton hoped he would fire them to safety.

However, the Argentine struggled at St Mary’s.

He was signed by Mauricio Pellegrino, who knew the player from his time at Estudiantes. Once Pellegrino got the sack in March, the writing looked on the wall.

Carrillo’s playing time diminished under Mark Hughes. In the end, he played just 10 times for the club without scoring a goal.

This summer, he was on the move. He reunited with Pellegrino at La Liga side Leganes.

Southampton might be thinking they made a mistake. Leganes, like the Saints, are battling relegation this season. However, Carrillo looks like he will be key in any survival.

His record of three goals in 12 games may not have Southampton fans mourning. But his overall form should be. Carrillo has become a pivotal member of the Leganes attack and statistics website WhoScored place him in La Liga’s top 30 players so far this season. Considering he is ahead of Gareth Bale, Antoine Griezmann and Ivan Rakitic, that is quite impressive.

Southampton are lacking some of the bite and spirit that Carrillo is bringing to the fight at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque.

Hughes may have been too quick to dismiss Carrillo’s potential impact.