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I’d say that a successful scout would be the ones uncovering hidden gems at lower levels with less hype around them. Although it pains me to say it, I think the Leicester scouting system is better than Southamptons. Picking up players like Vardy, Mahrez, Maguire, Kante (although he was quite well known when they signed him) etc. for so little and getting exceptional prices for them if they’re sold on.
roboto-
They also picked up players for nothing or little, with no resale value, but who did a job - Huth, Albrighton, Simpson...
The model’s different now and higher risk financially- Maddison, Maguire, Justin, etc. in the £20m bracket - or trusting in and developing young-uns from the academy - Hamza, Barnes, Chilwell...
Markyboy
Presumably it's the scouts who establish that they'll fit in and that they're actually available for Southampton to buy though?
There are plenty of players coming for big money who don't fit and don't work as stepping stones - look at Joelinton. Maybe that will work out, and he did score on Sunday - but that was £40m for a striker whose best season was 8 goals.
Has any other club been such a consistent stepping stone to bigger clubs for players and managers?