THERE are many players Saints supporters are excited to see in pre-season, but loan returnee Sam Edozie may be the most intriguing.

After a year on loan at Anderlecht, Edozie has returned to the south coast to discover a less restricted path into the Saints starting lineup.

Or at least that is how the landscape looked before rumours emerged on Sunday evening that Club Brugge were in talks over a permanent move for the winger.

After club record signing Kamaldeen Sulemana departed for Atalanta, Edozie felt like the most natural player to start on the left under Will Still.

Ryan Fraser and Ben Brereton Diaz, the two that were favoured over Edozie last summer, failed to deliver in 2024/25.

Sam Edozie spent last season on loan at Anderlecht Sam Edozie spent last season on loan at Anderlecht (Image: Wyscout) And with Still promising not to judge his squad on previous performances, instead wanting to determine how they fit into his team, Edozie felt likely to win his spot. 

Heading into his fourth season as a Saints player, the 22 year old should now be expected to shoulder a greater responsibility in the team, and that can still happen.

Suggestion of a move does not mean it will come to fruition, but Still does want to cut the size of his squad before adding his own players. 

Still has confirmed his desire to play a back four, suggesting Southampton's width will be provided by their wingers, which Edozie can provide.

READ: Still admits Saints must sell players before making signings this summer

He showed flashes of his quality in his first Championship campaign, scoring the opener in a 2-1 win over QPR early on, before getting Southampton's only goal in a 4-1 drubbing by Leicester.

But finding consistency was the winger's toughest battle. Six of his nine goal involvements came during a nine-game spell across December and February.

While he caught the eye in isolated moments and one-on-one dribbles, the former Manchester City prospect was not able to impose himself on the game regularly enough.

A first-half injury to David Brooks in the Championship play-off final triumph against Leeds United saw Russell Martin turn to the England youth international.

His agonising miss in the second half, when he sent the ball just past the far top-corner, highlighted a player missing the final action, and he was eventually replaced by Ryan Manning.

Sam Edozie celebrates after Saints win promotion to the Championship.Sam Edozie celebrates after Saints win promotion from the Championship. (Image: PA)Saints sent Edozie out on loan in the hope he would return to Staplewood more mature, as both a player and a person, after a year outside of his comfort zone.

As well as adjusting to life in a new country, Edozie had to battle against nagging injury problems in Brussels.

He missed 19 games in total but still managed to score four goals, including his first in the Europa League, and provided six assists.

Still does not expect a busy summer at Saints, and has insisted his squad is not in need of a major rebuild or refresh.

The 32 year old has players good enough at his disposal, and some who will need to show him they deserve to stay.

Edozie sits somewhere in the middle. A good pre-season can lay the foundations for him to become the player Saints hoped he could be when he signed from Man City.

But he is not important enough to reject a good bid should it come from Club Brugge or anyone else.