Was a bit of an idol of mine as a young Saints fan so would love to see a fairytale return. I've never been onboard with the way some Saints fans dislike him, he clearly loved the club but the opportunity on offer was massive. I'd welcome him back without a doubt and think he would be very sensible business too.
I was as pissed off as most of us were the way he left us but if he does come back I for one won't hold it against him. One of our biggest mistakes the season we got relegated was not having enough experience to help out the youngsters we signed and he will bring that and perhaps he will get some sort of coaching role too.
Yeah, me too. Club and player will have to do some light PR work but I don’t think that’s an issue either. Think he’d be a good veteran presence for this group and he has the technical level to contribute. Plus, if he wants to go into coaching then that’s convenient for both parties too.
Same. I've never been too sure if it's a majority of Saints fans, or just a vocal minority of Saints fans, who turned on him (including many on here). But like you. I never did. It's never bothered me the circumstances behind a player's departure, and it won't ever affect how I think of their time as a Saints player. He's still my second favourite Saints player (after Morgan). That said, he's just turned 36 and his recent years have been blighted by injury. I'm not convinced that he'd offer much on the field at PL level. But his experience in the dressing room and on the training ground could be very useful. A lack of leadership and experience was a massive reason behind our relegation last season (alongside an awful keeper, failing to sign a striker, and a horrific managerial appointment). If his wages are reasonable, and the club see this as a stepping stone towards Lallana becoming a member of the coaching staff, then I can see a lot of logic to it.
He was fit most of last season in fairness. Played 30 times, half of which were starts in the premier league. He won't be the difference between survival and relegation but on a free its a smart move.
I'm very much onboard with this. Will provide leadership and experience on and off the pitch, and would be fitting for him to start his coaching career here.
Hmmm. Not convinced by this but I guess it can't go too wrong. Don't hold me to the exact dates and details but the fan dislike obviously stems from him kissing the badge and saying he'd like to end his career here in December/January and then forcing a move less than 6 months later. I'm sure there was talk when he left that he told the club he'd never play for us again. I doubt he gets too much stick if he does come back. I mean, Bednarek has basically been welcomed back and Lallana did more for the club than Bednarek had when he left.
Hard pass as a first teamer, injury and age are a concern and some Brighton fans I know have said he was "all fart and no poo" (their words not mine). If it was to be the over 21 player in a coaching role for the under-21's, then I think there'd be merit in it (much like Jay Spearing at Liverpool).
I’m willing to stick my neck out. This has pointless disaster written all over it. Pissing wages up the wall springs to mind. He couldn’t wait to get out the door. he’s got nothing left to offer the playing squad at his age and no experience as a coach so I basically see nothing of value in him at all. Do one please Adam.
Gotta laugh, get back to promotion and our first transfer is dividing opinion. A player with a lot of premier league experience snd know how apparently isn't gonna be good enough by some. If he's a cheap addition, then it's probably a low risk high reward acquisition.
Can’t see this ending well if he comes back as a 1st team player, but am open if it’s in a different capacity. May have been annoyed when he left as he swore he wouldn’t leave, but never quite got all the vitriol directed at him. Didn’t have a problem with his goodbye message either…think people put their own spin on it.
Well exactly. If Lallana comes back, says the right things in public and puts in some decent performances there won't be an issue.
If it’s cheap and with a view to being a coach/manager in the future then it makes perfect sense tbh. He’s a great pro and could teach the youngsters a lot. If he’s signing expecting to play week in, week out then it makes zero sense.
