Every Southampton fan knows what Moroccan international Sofiane Boufal is capable of doing with a football on a pitch, but equally, we’ve seen the other side of the 25-year-old and it’s fair to say the common consensus is, his attitude could certainly be better.
Having fallen out of favour with former manager Mark Hughes at the end of last season amidst argument speculation and warmup refusals, he didn’t appear for the club following the end of March and he was training with our Under 23s for the most part it seemed.
There was no real second chance in 2018/19 and he found himself shipped out to Spanish side Celta Vigo mid-August.
With the arrival of new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, there are a number within the fanbase who’d like to see him recalled in January and given another chance at the club.
Deserves another shot and think he’d play a big part in hasenhüttl’s style of play.
— Kieran Smith (@kierannkater98) December 10, 2018
Yes very much so. Would be great to have him back. Offers more than others still at the club!
— Steve Jones (@fleetsaints) December 10, 2018
Yes Of Course. Present Squad are on course to take us down. Need all the help we can get. #saintsfc
— stuart vatcher (@StuartVatcher) December 10, 2018
No, he let the fans down by refusing to come on at a vital stage of the season, that should never be forgiven IMO.
— Andrew (@andrew_saintsfc) December 10, 2018
I think we should sell him. Refusing to warm up is a slap in the face to all the fans. I know he didn't like Hughes but that's not an excuse to refuse to play for the people who pay decent money to go to games. I have faith ralph can choose someone better.
— Drexl Leroux (@Drexl_Leroux) December 10, 2018
For me there’s no room for him when Lemina is playing so well.
— StMarysPirate (@pirate_st) December 11, 2018
Not to be difficult but didn’t he have reasonable freedom previously? He had moments of genius but you can’t really blame anybody but Boufal. We luxuriated with his purchase and ironically didn’t get what we paid for.
— StMarysPirate (@pirate_st) December 11, 2018
Would love to see him back, look how well Arnautović has done since leaving Hughes at Stoke. SB is full of skill and would be a huge influence if Ralph can get the best out of him.
— Nige (@Baldsaint) December 10, 2018
Flipping Right I would, a wasted mercurial talent. We won't see him in a Saints shirt again
— Jeff Stanfield (@jeffstangeog) December 10, 2018
It wouldn’t be the first time a player’s presumed attitude at a club has turned around under a different manager with a different approach, but whilst he has talent, I’m not convinced Boufal is suited to the Premier League. I’d much rather see some of our youngsters given a fair shot now.
