If there has been a revelation in the Premiership this season, Rickie Lambert is certainly deserving of the accolade. The Southampton striker netted his 10th Premier League goal during his side’s resurgent 2-2 draw away at European champions Chelsea to secure a vital point in their bid to stave off relegation.
Many a Saints fan have previously called for the 30-year-old to become a predominant member of the England squad in recent seasons and you can’t argue with his Southampton stats – 98 goals in 179 appearances; a goal every 1.8 games.
His physical attributes stand him in good stead and it’s fair to say Lambert would provide an effective weapon in Roy Hodgson’s arsenal, should the need to utilise a powerful target man arise, especially when looking to hold onto a slender lead.
Furthermore, his success from the penalty spot – 31 out of 31 – is unrivalled by England’s finest strikers, with only Wayne Rooney coming close with a less than stunning 18 out of 26 for Manchester United.
He may’ve been dubbed the 2012 Grant Holt, but his impressive goal return ratio, scoring a third of Southampton’s tally this season, means it’s no shock to hear Lambert mooted with a potential England call up and the opportunity to win his first national cap of his career.