Southampton sign Spanish striker Juanmi

Southampton shocked us all with their fantastic 7th spot Premier League finish in the 2014/15 season.

Looking to build on the success, the Saints have chosen to start this summers transfer window buying rather than selling.  Malaga forward Jimenez Juanmi has joined and becomes their first summer signing.

The young 22 year old has 18 goals in 85 games for Malaga and has represented Spain at under 17, 19, 21 level and now has his first senior cap.

Want to be impressed more?  Well what if I told you he scored away from home against both Barcelona and Real Madrid last season!

Juanmi has excellent first touch, a set of twinkle toes and looks to have very nice technique.  All in all a typical spanish player.  The obvious concern for the first year will be his adaptation to the much more physical approach, the cold and the wind of the EPL.  He looks a small build and work may be needed to gain in the strength department.  All of that though isn't uncommon for anybody joining the league.

Juanmi certainly has been bought with the future in mind and brings the flexible option with his possible playing positions.  Able to play wide as well as in his more natural central position the youngster will likely get eased into what is currently (I will be cautious after last summer) a settled squad.

With european football on next seasons agenda the Saints will need more depth to handle the extra workload.  We have often seen the negative side a European run can cause to smaller squads.  Also the opposition won't be caught by surprise this time around which will likely provide a tougher season for the impressive Ronald Koeman to marshal.

Who knows, could Juanmi be as big a surprise as Dusan Taidic, Saido Mane and Graziano Pelle in attacking areas?

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