Rickie Lambert is being replaced at Southampton

Southampton’s Rickie Lambert

Southampton’s first season back in the Premier League went about as well as the club’s fans could have expected as the Saints finished in 14th place, avoiding relegation and ensuring at least a second consecutive year in the top-flight.

Nigel Adkins brought them into the division and was generally keeping them afloat as they battled just above the relegation zone, but in January he lost his job as the club sought a philosophy change.

In came Mauricio Pochettino two months after leaving Espanyol by mutual consent and the Argentine kept them up, introducing a more vibrant brand of football at the same time.

Rickie Lambert was arguably the main catalyst for their survival as he scored 15 league goals, and even though only five came after Pochettino’s arrival, the forward continued to earn rave reviews.

Lambert’s performances were rewarded at the beginning of the current campaign as he received calls up to the England national team, yet Pochettino’s dealings in the summer suggested the forward’s place was not so safe.

With a new TV deal injecting extra cash into the coffers of Premier League clubs, Southampton were not afraid to splurge and they broke their transfer record for the second time in 12 months when acquiring Pablo Osvaldo.

A reported £15 million transfer fee was paid to Roma for the Argentina-born Italy international, but so far he is yet to truly convince the fans, thus keeping Lambert relevant.

Lambert has so far kept 57% of his shots on target and although that is far from spectacular, it is significantly better than the Italy international’s record of 46%.

Evidently, neither has been prolific in front of goal, but to compensate Lambert has been more productive with his team-mates, creating nine chances to Osvaldo’s four.

Lambert has also played 62.2% of passes forward, while Osvaldo looks forward far less, with 51.4% of his played backwards.

Where Osvaldo has been more effective is running with the ball at his feet having completed 64% of his take ons, whereas Lambert has not even attempt to beat his man once, but his personal victory here is one of very few.

On the whole Lambert is far more suited to Southampton at the moment, but that could change quickly.

The issue with Lambert is that it could be argued he has only kept his place in the team due to Osvaldo’s rather long settling in period, with his rather poor 9.5% chance conversion rate testament to that.

Last term Osvaldo dispatched 20% of his chances and if he can get close to that form he will threaten to make Lambert obsolete, particularly given Pochettino’s style of football does not cry out for a powerful frontman like former Bristol Rovers star.

Osvaldo has reportedly been seeking a move back to Italy after struggling to acclimatise to English football, but should he settle and get used to the Premier League he will definitely become the spearhead of their attack.

Lambert may be the answer in the present, but the 31-year-old will not be for much longer.