Southampton's one-time record signing Sofiane Boufal has accused the club of not having a plan when they signed him, which has led to his disappointing performances at the club.
Boufal talks to L'Equipe today about his career. This also includes discussion at Southampton, should things not go according to plan.
The 32-year-old is currently playing his football in Le Havre, France after joining on a free transfer in January. He was at Royal Union Saint-Gillois, but his contract there was terminated by mutual consent.
The French side are the latest club to join him in a varied career since leaving Southampton in 2020.
Post-Southampton conflict
In the six years since leaving Southampton he has played for Angers SCO, Al-Rayyan, Union SG and Le Havre.
The winger spent four years at Southampton after the club signed him for a then club-record £16m in 2016, but he was never able to reach that status during his time there.
Although he showed glimpses of world-class individual talent, a consistent lack of final product and occasional clashes with management diminished his influence.
Fans remember him best for two iconic solo goals: a long-range curler against Sunderland and a spectacular 85th-minute solo effort against West Brom the following year. That strike was voted the Premier League's goal of the season in 2018.
But overall, he managed only five goals and five assists in 84 appearances, far below expectations for a record signing.
Why did the saint mantra not work?
However, he does not take the blame for Southampton's failure. Instead, he accused Southampton of not having any plans for him when he signed him.
"Of course I can say that I missed something. If we are only talking about pure football, I had the qualities to have a very successful career." He said.
"But I could have done worse. I got hurt. And you get what you deserve. I was too impulsive for my own liking. Back then, I was all alone in that crazy, shark-like world. But I don't live with regrets.
"It didn't work at some clubs because I didn't feel valued. At Southampton, I was the biggest signing in the club's history, but there was no plan behind it."
