KAZAN, RUSSIA - NOVEMBER 22, 2020: FC Rostov s Mathias Normann handles the ball in a 2020/2021 Russian Premier League Round 15 football match between Rubin Kazan and FC Rostov at Ak Bars Arena. Yegor Aleyev/TASS PUBLICATIONxINxGERxAUTxONLY TS0EF531
According to Sport Witness (h/t Yorkshire Evening Post), Southampton are said to be interested in Mathias Normann of FC Rostov. Burnley and Fulham are said to be the other clubs from the Premier League who are after the player.
Normann, 24, rose through the ranks of FK Bodo/Glimt’s youth system before moving to England with Brighton in the summer of 2017. Though he represented the Seagulls’ U23 side, he found it hard to make it into the club’s senior squad.
He then spent a year on loan with Molde FK in the Norwegian League before joining Rostov in January 2019. Since his move to Russia, Normann has been impressive. In 48 games for the side, he has scored twice and assisted another 8. That led him to earn a call to Norway’s national squad in September 2019. Currently, he has 7 caps for the national side, scoring once.
Southampton are having one of their best seasons in recent memory. They have done it through sheer grit and determination and as a collective group.
Nonetheless, there remains scope for improvement, especially when it comes to the squad depth. Quite how the Saints have managed to go through almost half the season with only 5 recognised central midfielders is rather puzzling. Remember, they sold one of their biggest assets, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, to Spurs at the start of the season.
In that regard, signing Normann would be a good and safe option for the club. The Norwegian’s numbers of 1 goal and 3 assists in the Russian Premier Liga last season may not be mouthwatering but he is capable of doing well with experience. He would certainly add depth to their midfield ranks.
It is clear that Southampton lack depth in the midfield. Given Normann’s good run of form, they could make use of his presence in the squad. He would also bring healthy competition to the squad. Thus, the Saints should lure the former Brighton man to St. Mary’s.