Southampton Football Club have announced that Mohammed Salisu has completed a move from the club to join French club Monaco, there will not be much sadness in Southampton at this news.
Southampton FC have announced that Mohammed Salisu has completed a move to Monaco.
A short statement on the club website said
"The 24-year-old centre-back departs St Mary’s after three seasons on the south coast, joining the Ligue 1 side ahead of the new campaign.
"In his time with Saints, Salisu – who moved to the club in 2020 from Spanish side Real Valladolid – made 80 appearances and scored once.
"We would like to wish Mohammed well for the future and thank him for his contribution.
The truth is that Salisu's arrival at St Mary's was clouded in controversy and rumours of his attitude from the moment he arrived on August 12th 2020, we desperately needed a talented central defender and he seemed to fit the bill as Saints stumped up around £10,5 million for his services.
But mysteriously he seemed to be unable to train and it would be mid February before he actually appeared in the first team.
It was clear he was a talent, but it was also clear he had an attitude problem, his final game came 2 years and 1 month later at home to Spurs, he came on as an early substitute and completed the game without a sign of an injury, but he would never turn out for the team again with little explanation given.
He was undoubtably a class act and he had some great games for the club, but too often he appeared to lack concentration at key moments and his attitude appeared suspect.
In his 3 years at the club, or to be exact 2 years and 1 month actual playing time, he started 62 Premier League games plus 6 as sub, also 10(2) cup games.
It could have and should have been a lot more, but sadly most Saints supporters will be somewhat relieved to see him go and the £17 million that Saints are said to be receiving will not only be welcome from a financial perspective,, but it means we get one of a number of our central defenders off the books and can now perhaps concentrate on getting the one we really need, a leader of men with experience at the highest level in England.