£12m Southampton star yet to justify big-money move as Middlesbrough reap the rewards

This article forms part of Football League World’s Terrace Talk series, where FLW Fan Pundits offer their own perspectives on the latest developments involving clubs, players, managers and transfers across the EFL.

For a brief spell earlier this season, Southampton appeared to be finding their feet again under the leadership of Tonda Eckert. Results picked up, confidence returned, and there was genuine belief that the Saints could force their way back into the Championship promotion picture.

However, that optimism has quickly faded.

After initially impressing during an interim spell – winning four of his first five matches – Eckert was handed the job on a permanent basis. Further victories against Birmingham City and West Brom suggested Southampton were turning a corner. But since then, the familiar problems that plagued the club earlier in the campaign have resurfaced.

The Saints are now without a win in their last six Championship fixtures, and a humiliating 4-0 defeat away at Middlesbrough last weekend only served to deepen concerns. Performances have dipped, confidence looks fragile, and promotion aspirations are beginning to feel increasingly unrealistic unless a dramatic turnaround occurs soon.

With the fixture schedule relentless during the winter period, Eckert faces mounting pressure to find solutions quickly. Consistency, both in results and individual performances, remains the biggest obstacle standing between Southampton and a late push for the play-offs.

Big expectations following a £12m summer signing

One of the most eye-catching moves Southampton made during the summer transfer window was the decision to spend a reported £12 million on attacking midfielder Finn Azaz, prising him away from Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

At the time, the deal raised eyebrows across the division. Azaz had been outstanding for Boro during the previous season, producing an impressive 12 goals and 11 assists in 46 appearances. He also started the current campaign brightly on Teesside, registering a goal and an assist in his opening two games.

Given those numbers, Southampton believed they were securing a proven Championship match-winner who could provide creativity, goals, and leadership in the final third.

So far, though, the reality has been more mixed.

In a Saints shirt, Azaz has contributed six goals and three assists from 22 league appearances. While that output is respectable on paper, it tells only part of the story. All of his attacking returns came during a short spell between November and December, when his form briefly matched the expectations attached to his price tag.

Outside of that purple patch, Azaz has struggled to impose himself consistently. Since providing an assist against West Brom in mid-December, he has gone six matches without a goal or assist. More tellingly, it took until matchday 14 – against QPR – for him to register his first assist for the club, underlining how long it took him to settle.

Fan verdict: £12m not justified so far

Given Southampton’s patchy form and Azaz’s inconsistent performances, Football League World spoke to Saints fan pundit Martin Sanders to gauge whether supporters feel the midfielder has justified such a substantial investment.

Sanders was candid in his assessment.

Judging purely on what he has delivered so far, the fan pundit believes Azaz has not done enough to warrant his £12m price tag. While acknowledging the player’s quality and technical ability, he pointed to the same issue that followed Azaz at his previous clubs – inconsistency.

According to Sanders, feedback from both Plymouth Argyle and Middlesbrough supporters before the transfer suggested Azaz could drift in and out of games. Unfortunately for Southampton, that assessment has proven accurate.

When everything clicks, Azaz looks like a top-class Championship operator. During his strong run earlier in the season, he scored freely, influenced matches, and appeared every bit the marquee signing the Saints hoped for. But those moments have been too few and too far between.

As Sanders explained, brilliance in short bursts is not enough to justify a fee of that magnitude, especially for a club with Premier League ambitions.

Consistency now key for Azaz and Southampton

There is little doubt that Finn Azaz possesses the talent to be a difference-maker at Championship level. His spells at Plymouth and Middlesbrough demonstrated that, over time, he can become one of the most productive attacking midfielders in the division.

Even at Boro, his development was not immediate. During his first season at the Riverside Stadium, Azaz managed just four goals and five assists across 20 appearances. It was only after a full season of adaptation that he truly exploded into life, producing elite numbers the following year.

That context is important.

Southampton may yet see the best of Azaz, particularly if he is given time to fully adapt to Eckert’s system and the demands placed upon him. However, time is a luxury the Saints may not feel they have.

The club’s aim is clear: an immediate return to the Premier League. That objective places enormous pressure on high-profile signings to deliver straight away, especially those who arrive with eight-figure price tags.

From Middlesbrough’s perspective, the deal currently looks excellent business. They secured a sizeable fee for a player who wanted a new challenge, while Southampton have yet to see a consistent return on their investment.

A defining period ahead

Looking ahead, the remainder of the season could prove decisive for Azaz’s Southampton career. If the Saints fall short of promotion this year, the midfielder could play a pivotal role in a renewed push next campaign, much as he did for Middlesbrough after his bedding-in period.

But to maintain the faith of supporters, Azaz must raise his levels between now and May. Regular performances, sustained goal contributions, and greater influence in matches will be essential if he is to shake off doubts surrounding his transfer fee.

Patience may ultimately be rewarded, but patience is wearing thin at St Mary’s.

For now, the verdict remains clear: Finn Azaz has not yet justified Southampton’s £12m outlay. Whether he eventually proves to be worth every penny will depend on his ability to turn flashes of quality into consistent excellence over the months ahead.