Credit: SFC/Paul Watts
After reaching their highest ever points total in the Premier League at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, last night was Southampton’s chance to celebrate the season at the annual Player Awards.
Hosted by Sky Sports presenter and Saints fan, Ed Chamberlin, the awards rounded up a fantastic season and gave special recognition to players who have progressed and excelled during the campaign.
The night belonged to team captain, Adam Lallana, who picked up an impressive four awards, while Jack Cork was named President’s Choice, and Scholar of the Season was handed to Jake Hesketh.
Credit: SFC/Paul Watts
Lallana was honoured with the Players’ Player, Fans’ Player, Away Player and Goal of the Season awards, capping off a sublime campaign, in which he has all but secured himself a place on the plane to Brazil.
While he has always possessed the ability, Lallana has not truly shone until this season. His growth in confidence as a Premier League player is obvious and his willingness to take on defenders is a rare quality in the modern game.
While much of the media attention has been on the potential sale of Luke Shaw, the key is Adam Lallana. Shaw is a magnificent talent, there is no denying it. He will go on to be England’s left back for years to come. But in Lallana, Southampton have a leader and a man who can win games single handedly. If the club are serious about progressing or even maintaining the level it is at currently, Lallana must not be sold.
The messages from the player have been overwhelmingly positive. As a family man living in Bournemouth, Lallana seems settled and, when questioned on the subject, he continues to insist that he is happy and proud to lead the club as captain.
However, there will undoubtedly be enquiries made about the 25-year-old. If he has a successful World Cup campaign, his value will skyrocket and, with recent revelations of financial pressures, the board might be tempted. However, the message must be clear. Southampton is not a selling club.
While the spotlight was certainly on Lallana last night, Jack Cork deserves a mention. He strikes me as one of Southampton’s most under-rated players. His work rate is second to none in the middle of the park and he has risen to the challenge when Morgan Schneiderlin has missed out with injury.
Credit: SFC/Paul Watts
When the club announced the signing of Victor Wanyama last summer, I was concerned for Cork. There was a danger that he might become a fringe player but he has fought hard for his place in the team and thoroughly deserves his award.
Hours after putting pen to paper in a professional deal, Jake Hesketh received the Scholar of the Season award and is yet another Southampton academy graduate to look out for. Netting 13 times from midfield, the young man was crowned top scorer for the Under-18s this season and will hope to replicate last year’s winner, James Ward-Prowse, in progressing towards the first team.
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