SAINTS manager Nathan Jones labelled Samuel Edozie as a ‘wonderful talent’ after the 19-year-old’s cameo helped his side edge past Lincoln City and into the League Cup quarter-finals.
With the score level at 1-1 on the hour mark, Jones looked to his bench, bringing on Edozie alongside Stuart Armstrong and Theo Walcott. The shake-up worked as Sains grew in dominance before Che Adams’ notched a 74th-minute winner.
"He (Edozie) is always pushing," Jones said about the youngster’s chances of earning a first Premier League start. "He was fantastic when he came on, he really was. We want to get more from him, to develop him.
"He is not in a position, I don't think, where he can play 38 Premier League games and seven cup games in a 45-game season. He is young, he is learning, but he is a wonderful, wonderful talent, he really is, and we are really proud of him."
While it ended up being meaningless, Edozie missed a glorious late chance to make it 3-1, someone mishitting his effort wide of the open goal, a moment Jones is hoping doesn’t overshadow his impressive display.
"We keep talking about it being a squad game and everyone has to be ready and all the subs had an impact," Jones continued.
"I thought Stuart Armstrong did, even Theo Walcott for the ten-minute cameo he had, and Sam Edozie, they were all excellent. It would have been nice for Sam (to score), because I thought his performance merited a goal."
