Eljero Elia has spoken of his desire to remain at the club beyond this season, but has he done enough to merit a permanent deal.
Initially it looked like Saints had unearthed a hidden gem in Eljero Elia after making his debut at Old Trafford in a 1-0 win he followed that up in his second game by scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Newcastle.
Since then though despite being involved in most of the games since he has hasn't quite recaptured his form in those early games, in defence of him though it could be said that neither have his team mates, so the question is whether Elia has been hampered by the poor performances of late or whether he is part of the problem.
Speaking of the situation when asked if the deal would be made permanent Elia said.
"I don’t know,”
"They (the club) say nothing about it.
"I speak with the coach about it, who was positive.
"We know the team performance is not 100 per cent, so I don’t have to look to that, I have to look to my own [performances].”
However Elia also mentioned that an ankle injury picked up shortly after his arrival has not helped his form.
"Ok, after my injury, it was not so like before, but I keep fighting and doing my thing and I want to be important.
"I want to stay 100 per cent, so it is to the club what they decide.
"Otherwise, I have one contracted year with Werder Bremen.
"I will not stay at Werder Bremen, but I will go to another club then if they don’t want me.”
The reality I feel is that the jury is still out on Elia, as he showed in some games he does have the quality to succeed and the question is whether his game has been affected by Saints poor form of late.
Whether Saints keep him or not may depend on two main things, firstly that he is available at the right price, some of the prices quoted that Werder Bremen are seemingly asking are too high for a player who has not been completely convincing and who is in the last year of his contract.
Secondly it will depend on whether Saints are in Europe next season, if they are Ronald Koeman has already said that he will need a bigger and stronger squad than this season and that could mean that Elia may be a part of that.
The real issue though will be cost, at the right price Elia is probably worth a punt, he does have the quality and if we are to finish in the top ten next year then he would make a good squad player with the potential to challenge for a first team place which in turn will create competition in the squad.
That could only be good and Saints supporters in evaluating his worth to the side have to realise that it is not just about looking at players who are automatic first team choices, its about the depth of the squad overall and from that point of view he could be a good signing.
So my vote in the poll on our home page and message board is yes sign him on, but only at the right price.
Thats my say so have yours by voting in the poll and voicing your opinion both in the comments section underneath and on the message board.