Southampton have churned out plenty of talent from their academy and with their recruitment policy in recent years, many of whom have been incredibly successful whilst at the club and later sold for big money.

Many are renowned as huge success stories, but none more so than Rickie Lambert’s remarkable rise through the divisions.

Before signing for the Saints in 2009, he had featured for Blackpool, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers, having scored in every professional division of the EFL. 

His career was branded “ridiculous” by reporter Benjy Nurick with how it continued to grow and how he helped propel Southampton to the top flight.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl could add a prime version of this brilliant striker to his side now, it would make him and fans forget all about last season’s exceptional loanee Armando Broja.

The Chelsea striker managed just six Premier League goals, but his physical presence was unmatched with the youngster earning some rave reviews. 

Indeed, Albania assistant manager Sergio Porrini was full of praise for Broja last season, saying:

“From last year to this he has grown a lot, and at Southampton, he has exploded.

“His greatest qualities are in progression, especially the ball and chain. (He’s) less good, on the other hand, with his back to the goal, in the construction of the action.

“But, in the spaces, he is devastating!”

With Lambert, they would get Broja's presence plus guaranteed goals. The 6 foot 1 gem scored 117 times in just 235 appearances for the club, whilst also chipping in with a whopping 62 assists.

He had incredible feet for a taller striker and could just as easily power in a header as he could execute a perfect long-range finish.

This is outlined in the poise that helped him amass such an impressive assist count.

In his finest goal-scoring season in the top flight, he featured in every Premier League game as he notched 15 goals and assisted a further seven.

However, he had previously fired the Saints to back-to-back promotions following 21 League One goals and 27 Championship strikes. The latter season also included 14 assists, meaning he contributed to 41 goals that campaign.

He became an integral cog in the way Southampton played, so when he left for Liverpool in 2015 it stung.

They received a fee of just £4.5m for his services, but admittedly he had given all he could to the south coast outfit and had earned the right to play for the club he supported as a child.

Able to score at all levels, Lambert will likely go down as a legend at Southampton for his help driving them through the divisions. His deft touch but powerful presence made him the quintessential number nine, one which Hasenhuttl would love to have at his disposal today.