Why Southampton have struck gold with a new deal for Stuart Armstrong
According to the BBC, Southampton midfielder, Stuart Armstrong has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract to extend his stay at St. Mary’s until the summer of 2024.
The 28-year-old joined the Saints from Celtic for a fee of £7million back in 2018, initially putting pen to paper on a four-year deal until 2022. Armstrong had entered the final 18 months of his contract, prompting Southampton to take immediate action in sorting out his long-term future.
Armstrong made 59 appearances in the Premier League for the Saints over the past two seasons. He has started 12 out of the club’s 16 league fixtures so far this term. The Scottish international has established himself as a key cog in Southampton’s midfield under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The Scottish star got off to a slow start at St. Mary’s under former manager Mark Hughes but has really proven his worth following the appointment of Hasenhuttl in late 2018.
Armstrong has amassed 11 goals and 7 assists in 79 appearances for Southampton in all competitions. Those numbers are more than decent considering that he hasn’t always been utilised as an out-and-out attacking midfielder.
Armstrong has featured in a number of different roles, from No.10 and No.8 to a predominantly right-wing position this season. A new deal for the Scot represents a continuation of Southampton’s policy of securing the futures of their key figures.
The 28-year-old has joined the likes of Jan Bednarek. James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Shane Long, Nathan Tella, Will Smallbone, as well as manager Hasenhuttl, in putting pen to paper on fresh terms at St. Mary’s over the past 12 months.
Besides his obvious quality and creativity in possession, Armstrong also ticks several other boxes as a tailor-made fit for Hasenhuttl’s system. The Austrian has introduced a high-intensity brand of football at St. Mary’s. The Scotsman’s tireless work rate as evident from his heat map in the Premier League, makes him an invaluable asset to the side.
Verdict
Good players don’t always come on the cheap but it has to be said that Southampton’s deal for Stuart Armstrong in 2018 has paid off handsomely. The Scot has been a consistent performer for the Saints week in, week out, making him a massive bargain for the club.
A new deal for the midfielder comes as yet another statement of intent from Southampton that their best players are not for sale. They lost Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Tottenham in the summer, leaving them somewhat short of quality cover in the middle. That has certainly heightened Armstrong’s importance at the club.
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The former Celtic star’s new deal at St. Mary’s should take him through to the age of 32, meaning that he has now effectively committed the remainder of his prime years to the club.
Southampton look to be heading in the right direction after an impressive start to the season. The news of Armstrong’s new contract certainly comes as a massive boost to their long-term plans.
