Southampton Complete Loan Move For Attacker Considered To Be The Next Balotelli

It took just 5 minutes to see the first signing of January Transfer Window to take place as dark horses for Top 4 in this season’s EPL Southampton have signed the Dutch Winger Eljero Elia on loan from Werder Bremen till the end of the season. Elia is a gifted player and at times with gifted player comes their attitude and Elia seems to have got that in plenty.

Southampton are flying high in the league and one of the main reason has been talked about is the amazing dressing room spirit, which Koeman has built. In all of this signing a player like Eljero Elia, who has had a history of disrupting the team’s spirits comes as a surprising signing by someone like Ronald Koeman.

Eljero Elia has been drawn in the lines of Mario Balotelli due to his off-field behavior. It is evident by one of his incidences when Elia once came to training straight from the night club, and literally told fans to go f**k themselves, and subsequently he got removed from the squad completely.

Ronald Koeman has come out and defended Eljero Elia. Koeman spoke to BBC and gave the following statement on Elia being likened to Balotelli due to his antics.

Elijero Elia given shirt #22

“If I had doubts regarding his private life, then I wouldn’t sign him. It’s all due to the press and rumours and these rumours it’s not true. We need some really good players who want to develop themselves and be professional here at St.Mary’s Park. He is happy because he was looking to progress to the next step of his career because he has not been playing in Germany. He is a very good option for us and it is very good for both parties involved. Also, I believe in his qualities as he is fast, can play from the left and the right, and can take people on, one against one. He is hungry and that is the most important thing.” Koeman told BBC on signing Elijero Elia.

Eljero Elia’s debut for Southampton will most probable against Manchester United on 11th January 2015. He has been given #22 shirt by Southampton.