Michael Obafemi has forced his way into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans and scored his first Premier League goal for Southampton against Huddersfield Town.
Rickie Lambert has raved about the potential of young Southampton forward Michael Obafemi, in quotes reported by the Daily Echo.
The 18-year-old has broken through into The Saints’ first team this season, making five Premier League appearances and scoring his first senior goal in the 3-1 win at Huddersfield Town in December.
Obafemi, who has one cap for the Republic of Ireland, has been tipped by some to follow in the footsteps of Southampton’s most famous academy graduates from Gareth Bale to Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw to Theo Walcott.
And, speaking to the Daily Echo, St Mary’s legend Lambert clearly believes that the jet-heeled teenager has the potential to make a real impact at Premier League level.
“It’s good to see they’re getting back to bringing in youngsters as that’s what Southampton’s renowned for,” said Lambert, who plundered 117 goals for the club between 2009 to 2014.
“I know they’ve got a young lad, Obafemi, who can terrify a few defenders from the little glimpses I’ve seen.”
Since Ralph Hasenhuttl replaced Mark Hughes at St Mary’s, a number of exciting young talents have forced their way into the first-team with defenders Yann Valery and Kayne Ramsay following in Obafemi’s footsteps.
Hasenhuttl was famous for giving promising starlets a chance during his time in Germany with RB Leipzig so Obafemi and co can be confident that he’ll get some more minutes under his belt before the end of the season.
