Southampton’s Dutch manager could be adding a fellow countryman to his playing staff at St Mary’s.
According to reports on Thursday from multiple UK outlets including The Sun, Daily Mirror and others, Fenerbache winger Dirk Kuyt could be on his way back to the Premier League to sign with Ronald Koeman’s Southampton in January.
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Kuyt, 34, shone at the World Cup for the Netherlands this summer in an unfamiliar wing back role for the Oranje.
The former Feyenoord star would certainly be a good acquisition for Saints, as they continue their impressive start to the PL season. Koeman’s men are currently third in the PL on 16 points after five wins from their first eight games and an 8-0 win over Sunderland last weekend showcased their sublime attacking talents.
Where Kuyt would fit in at Saints is unclear and the fact that he’s no spring chicken make this rumor a little confusing as Southampton are a team loaded with young players and have a conveyor belt of talent ready to roll out of their famed academy. Their philosophy is to give young players a chance, but if Kuyt is available in January to help add depth to the squad, he’s definitely worth a punt.
Koeman will likely discuss the potential to sign Kuyt in his prematch press conference later on Thursday before Saints’ home match vs. Stoke City on Saturday.
Capable of playing in attack, midfield or even defense, Kuyt could be a handy addition with his bags of PL experience at Liverpool. He was hugely popular during his six-year spell at Anfield with his endless running appreciated by the home fans plus plenty of clutch goals, including a strike in the 2006-07 Champions League final, with 71 in 286 appearances. With Southampton eager to keep surprising everyone between now and the end of the season and trying to better last season’s finish of eighth, Kuyt’s nous could help Saints young crop of talented players kick on and push for a top six finish.
Let’s see what straight-talking Koeman has to say about this rumor…