Reports in the USA are suggesting that Josh Sims could be heading back to the Big Apple in the New Year to link up again with New York Red Bulls. Could January be make or break for him at St Mary's
Saints fans ave always liked Josh Sims since his explosive first team debut in a 1-0 win at home to Everton, just over 3 years ago and he certainly looked one for the future back then.
But back in the summer nearly 3 years on from that debut he had not really seemed to have built on that debut consistently although it cannot be denied that he had had some flashes of brilliance during that time.
His career faltered last season when he went on loan to Reading and started only 5 times as the Berkshire team struggled in the first half of the season and he was recalled in January, where he would make some impact in the final games of the season as Saints secured Premier League safety with some way to go.
But Ralph Hasenhuttl clearly wasn't completely convinced he was ready for a regular spot and at 22 Sims needed regular football and the chance to show he could do it on a regular basis and not just in flashes.
The choice of New York Red Bulls was strange in that firstly it is a completely different type of game to England, secondly the standard is not anywhere near that of the Premier League and thirdly although his season there would be over in October, on his return to St Mary's he would not be eligible to play for his parent club again till January 2020 when his loan period expired.
His stock amongst Saints supporters is perhaps higher than his actual contribution, it cannot be denied he has had some flashes of brilliance, but overall his impact has not been a s big as some would have you believe.
In three years since his debut he has played only 573 minutes of Premier League football, in full game time the equivalent of only just over 6 games, he played only slightly more than that at Reading and only 478 minutes at New York Red Bulls in the MLS
So his amount of time on the pitch is not great for a player who will turn 23 in March.
There are those who would call for his return to the squad on 1st January and to be give his chance, with Saints current dilemma it would be hard to argue with that, but in truth has he truly shown anything better than Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Sofiane Boufal in his time at St Mary's.
The straight answer is no, although Nathan Redmond is under fire in some quarters at the moment, he has shown he has what it takes before and as they say form is temporary class is permanent.
So January will perhaps be make or break time for Josh Sims at St Mary's, with the MLS not due to start till March there is no hurry for him to leave at the start of the month, so perhaps he might get his chance in the Saints first team, he will have the opportunity to show Ralph Hasenhuttl that he is worth keeping, if he can do that then perhaps he will play a bigger part this season.
But if he doesn't as rumoured in the USA he could be shipped back to New York Red Bulls before the transfer window shuts and to an uncertain future with Saints after failing to impress four managers he has worked under.
At 23 he is no longer in the youngster with potential bracket, if he hasn't managed to break through by the end of this season he probably isn't going to do it, some may find that hard to accept but it is the truth.
So the first few weeks of 2020 are going to be crucial for Josh Sims, has he shown enough in training to the manager to show he is worth a shout in the New Year, I would be surprised if he didn't feature against Huddersfield in the FA Cup, willhe grasp that chance if he is given it ?
We will find out in January and we will also find out if he has the mental toughness to play for his future when the chips are down, perhaps this will be the making of him as a player and he will go on to fulfil his potential, but for every player who does just that there are a dozen more who don't, they have the skill, but in the Premier League skill and talent on their own are not enough, mental toughness is just as important.