Has Manolo Gabbiadini been treated unfairly at Southampton?

By Tom Procter

Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini is ready to quit the club in favour of a return to Italy.

According to Calciomercato, the hitman could seek to engineer a move back to Fiorentina next month, after enduring a torrid spell on the south coast.

(Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

Gabbiadini has made 15 appearances for the Saints this season, but only six of those have been starts (four coming in the Premier League).

The Italian – who has 11 caps for his country – joined the club in January 2017 and made an instant impact, scoring six goals in his first five games, including two in the EFL Cup final against Manchester United.

For one reason or another though, Gabbiadini has failed to kick on from his bright start and couldn’t earn the trust of Claude Puel, Maurizio Pellegrini or Mark Hughes.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Ralph Hasenhuttl failed to speak at length about Gabbiadini when quizzed about transfer plans, only describing Lemina as ‘a very important player for us’.

Has Gabbiadini been treated unfairly?

Fans looking from the outside in have been largely flummoxed as to why Gabbiadini doesn’t get more game time at St. Mary’s.

Given the poor goalscoring record of Shane Long before the signing of Danny Ings, and Charlie Austin’s injury record, it’s been difficult to understand his lack of playing opportunities.

(Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

Gabbiadini looked like the real deal when he first signed for the club for £15 million (The Guardian).

His deadly finishing was a hugely exciting proposition for the fans.

No one is privy to what goes on behind the scenes and on the training pitch, but Gabbiadini is arguably the club’s most natural finisher, capable of finding space in the box to gobble up chances. Perhaps he has the right to feel a little hard done by.