Recent reports have suggested that Ricky Lambert could slide down the striking pecking order at Southampton following the arrival of Pablo Osvaldo at St Mary’s but Pochettino plans to play both of them up front.
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Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino insists that Ricky Lambert remains in his first team plans despite the arrival of record signing Pablo Osvaldo from Roma, Goal.com reports.
Lambert was Southampton’s top scorer last season, finding the net on 15 occasions while also scoring on his international debut in England’s 3-2 victory over Scotland.
Some have suggested that the arrival of Osvaldo will mean that Lambert may find himself on the bench this season but Pochettino intends to use both strikers in attack and thinks the pair can form a dangerous partnership.
“I don’t think they are that similar,” he said. “I think they could find it very easy to play together.
“But we will be gauging that as the season unfolds, the Premier League is a tough competition and there are also two cup competitions.
“Rickie has shown time and time again that he is a very intellectual footballer and that he welcomes the competition. He welcomes the fact that Osvaldo is here because it will make him raise his game.”
Southampton are looking to build on a successful first season back in the Premier League, where they managed to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
Osvaldo became the Saints third signing of the summer after moving from Roma and agreed a four year contract with the club.