What will Graziano Pellè bring to Southampton? |

Big Italian striker Graziano Pelle is heading to Southampton to once again work with Ronald Koeman for a reported snip of €8million. Will Burns discusses on what the striker has in his arsenal as he is set to replace the outgoing Rickie Lambert…

Factfile

– Pellè was born on 15 May 1985 in San Cesario di Lecce, Italy.

– The Italian started out at a hometown club Lecce in 2001. As a youth player, he helped his team to win the 2002/03 Coppa Italia Primavera and the Campionato Primavera twice (in 2003/04 and 2004/05).

– He made his professional debut in a Serie A game against Bologna in January 2004. Failing to settle in, between 2005 and 2007, Pellè played out on loan at Catania, Crotone and Cesena.

– In the summer of 2007, Pellè made the move to the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar scoring 14 goals in a total of 72 games.

– After a stint of four years in Holland, he returned to his homeland as he moved to Parma.

– Again failing to click in the team he went on a loan to Sampdoria from Parma in January 2012. While in Sampdoria, Pellè managed to find the net four times in 12 games.

– Once again looking for a new start, Pellè returned to the Netherlands on a season-long loan to Feyenoord.

– Pellè became a goal machine scoring 11 goals in his first ten appearances.

– After impressing, on 5th January 2013, Pellè signed a four-year contract with the Rotterdam club.

– In 2012/13 season he notched 27 goals in 29 games and then last season scored 23 in 28 appearances.

What Pellè brings to Southampton?

Graziano Pellè is a player I have admired for the past two seasons and I feel he is a perfect fit for the Premier League. At 6ft 4 inches, even though he is tall and physically strong, he is a delight to watch on the ball.

Playing as a target man, he can overpower any defender to keep the ball at his feet to feed into any overlapping player or better still, create a chance for himself. With great ability of playing with both feet, he moves real good for a big guy, which can provide source of goals when his back is to goal.

If Southampton can find two great crossers on their wings, then the Italian will deliver goals. Inside the box, Pellè is always looking for the ball, losing his marker to usually head home from either near or far post. The power in the 29-year-old’s legs makes him leap like a salmon and defeat the tallest of defenders. So from any cross whether it be in-play or from a set-piece, Pellè is a real aerial threat to the opposition’s goal.

One downfall could be his temperament. The Italian is a bit of explosive when things to do not go his way and has been known to sulk if his side are losing an important games. Please check out this link which explains some incidents from last season that got Pelle in hot water with the KNVB and Feyenoord management.

Despite the behavioral issues, I personally think this can add to his game as the passion he shows, displays a great will to win. With great finishing with both feet and his head, I see goals from Pellè and successful tenure under Koeman on the South Coast.

Anyways, don’t take my word for it Saints fans… take a look for yourself