Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer discussed Danny Ings’ dip in form and the uncertainty surrounding his future at St. Mary’s, suggesting there could be a correlation between the two.
Ings started the season strongly, netting four times in the Saints’ first five fixtures of the Premier League campaign. The England striker, however, has gone off the boil in recent weeks, scoring just once in his last eight league appearances.
His contract expires next summer and, according to The Telegraph, he is holding off putting pen to paper on a new deal, as he aims to secure a move to a Champions League club.
Will Ings stay at Southampton?
Yes
No
On Ings’ form and contract situation, Palmer told FFC:
“I think it’s obviously playing a part. There’s no question about that. I always believe that once a player is under that kind of scrutiny, he’s got maybe the chance of a big move, you don’t know whether his agent’s getting into his ear or whatever. You don’t know what’s going on.
“It’s been well documented that he’s been offered new contracts by Southampton and he’s not signed them. And so it’s clear to me that he sees his future away from Southampton.”
For the time being, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl must put all of that to one side and get Ings firing again, as Southampton continue to sink down the table.
The Saints have taken just one point from their previous nine fixtures, losing eight out of those nine to leave the club in 14th and seven points above the relegation zone.
Last term, Ings was able to score 25 goals in all competitions, and it is that level of goalscoring efficiency Hasenhuttl will be desperate to see again.