Graziano Pelle has started his career in China and has already picked up a goal and a booking as he looks to save his new club from relegation.
Graziano Pelle has not had much of a break this summer, whilst other players who took part in Euro 2016 enjoyed a break and not have to return to pre season training till later than their colleagues, Pelle was heading across the globe to join Shandong Luneng in China.
The deal netted Saints an unexpected windfall said to be £13 million, around £10 million more than they thought they might achieve from an Italian club and the former Saints striker is trousering £260k a week according to reports that put him as the 5th highest player in the World.
He has arrived to a big fanfare and a relegation battle, but he has already sparked a resurgence in their fortune, Pelle watched his new team from the stands as they won 4-0 at home in the first match since his arrival and then he started the following game a 1-1 away draw where he did not score on his debut but did have a yellow card waved in his face.
In his home debut though he scored, netting a header in Wednesday’s 4-1 home victory over Hangzhou Greentown.
Relegation is still a distinct possibility though for a club who finished third in the League in 2015, they currently sit third from bottom only two points above the club in the 2nd from bottom club with two going down.
Pelle now has ten games left in which to save his club from the drop, given that they have got 4 of their 20 points in the two games he has played they will be confident that he will do so and lets be honest with the money they have paid out and will continue to pay out, they have every right to expect that.