After Southampton earned promotion to the Premier League, Steven Davis emerged as a crucial component of the team.
When Southampton secured promotion to the Premier League, they made a significant move by acquiring midfielder Steven Davis from Rangers, which proved to be one of the club’s most astute signings.
Davis went on to feature in 226 matches for Southampton since his arrival in 2012, contributing to their establishment in the top flight. During their decade-long tenure in the Premier League, Southampton consistently challenged expectations, achieving four consecutive top-half finishes between 2013/14 and 2016/17, including a notable sixth-place finish in 2015/16 under Ronald Koeman.
Throughout this period, Davis played a pivotal role for Southampton, earning the trust of various managers. Despite their relegation to the Championship last season, Southampton, under the management of Russell Martin, display potential for a swift return to the Premier League.
As they set their sights on reclaiming a Premier League spot, Southampton could draw inspiration from Davis’s impact when considering summer transfer strategies. Davis arrived at Southampton from Rangers for approximately £800,000 and quickly adapted to life on the South Coast, making an immediate impact under managers Nigel Adkins and later Mauricio Pochettino.
Under Pochettino’s guidance, Southampton solidified their reputation as an ambitious team of young talents, with Davis providing valuable experience amidst the youthful energy. His consistency was evident as he rarely missed a Premier League match, except for the 2017/18 season before his return to Rangers.
Davis departed Southampton in 2019, initially on loan before completing a permanent transfer, and played a crucial role in Rangers’ success, including their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade in 2021.
As Southampton currently sits fourth in the Championship, they aim for promotion, either automatically or through the playoffs. Despite a summer marked by significant player departures, Southampton has shown resilience, thanks in part to their youthful squad.
However, with the fifth-youngest squad in the Championship, Southampton could benefit from adding experienced players to their roster, similar to the Davis acquisition over a decade ago. The nominal fee paid for Davis proved to be a bargain for Southampton, and they may seek similar value deals in the upcoming transfer window.