Southampton had ‘big hopes’ for £24k-a-week Morocco star

Southampton had ‘big hopes’ for former winger Sofiane Boufal throughout his time at the club, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 29-year-old endured a frustrating spell with the south coast club between 2016 and 2020 but is now showcasing his true ability at the World Cup with Morocco.

Southampton news – Sofiane Boufal

Southampton splashed out £16 million to prise Boufal away from LOSC Lille back in August 2016 when he was just 22 but failed to hit the ground running in his new surroundings.

A return of just two goals and one assist from 29 appearances in his maiden campaign for the Saints set the tone for his career on the south coast.

Boufal did win praise after claiming the Premier League Goal of the Season award for his stunning solo run and finish against West Bromwich Albion in 2017/18, but that was as good as it got for him.

The creative talent managed just 10 goal contributions in 84 outings for the Saints and he was allowed to join current club Angers on a free transfer in 2020.

Since then, Boufal’s form has improved having found the back of the net on 16 occasions in 110 games for the Ligue 1 outfit, setting up a further 14 strikes for his teammates along the way.

What has Jones said about Boufal?

Boufal is now shining on the biggest stage of all at the showpiece event, helping his nation reach the semi-finals against France out in Qatar.

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Yet Jones has informed GiveMeSport that the forward ‘didn’t quite’ reach the levels expected of him at Southampton and that they eventually lost faith in him.

He said: “They had big hopes for him. I think he just didn’t quite get to where they needed him to be over that period of time, and there’s only a certain period that you can keep going with it.”