Southampton's new signing Carlos Alcaraz has been compared to Frank Lampard by South American expert Tim Vickery.

What's the word?

The Argentina wonderkid recently completed a move to St Mary's from Racing Club, as Southampton beat off reported interest from a number of other clubs to secure his signature.

The 20-year-old looks a promising talent, with 12 goals and six assists in 83 senior games, and although he is versatile, he predominantly plays as a central midfielder.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Vickery compared his playing style to that of the Chelsea legend, citing his late runs into the box as a positional similarity. He also raved about the Saints' latest recruit and offered some insight into what they might expect.

He said: "They're getting an almost traditional English type of midfielder, in the sense of a central midfielder who times their run into the box very well, and he's got a goal in him. He comes from the Frank Lampard and Bryan Robson school," he claimed.

"He's only 20 but he's an established star now, his last year was his real breakout year. He's had three years in and around the first team at Racing, and has that gift of timing the run, ghosting into the box with a goal in him; that makes him very, very useful.

"He's a little bit raw and there may be a little bit of a wild child in him. He may be one who might struggle with adaptation off the field. Southampton will have to play that one carefully, but he looks a very exciting player in that kind of mould of a central midfielder with a goal in him."

Have they unearthed a gem?

Argentina seem to be producing a lot of top-class young talent, with Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez particularly shining as they won the World Cup, and clubs may shop in their domestic league more often as a result.

If Alcaraz settles quickly at Southampton, he could prove instrumental in helping dig them out of a relegation battle, and if he fulfils his potential, his value could skyrocket.

Although direct comparisons with Lampard are very early, if he has any sort of similar impact in the Premier League, Southampton will have found a diamond.