NO player in England's top four divisions managed more than Adam Armstrong's 24-goal and 13-assist haul last season. His 37 goal contributions also outscored the top performers in La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1. Bayern Munich's Harry Kane was the only player in the top five leagues to outperform Armstrong's goal involvement figures.
If you look at these figures in isolation it's a wonder why anybody would doubt the Geordie forward heading into the new Premier League campaign. He's just had the best season of his career. However, history hasn't been all that kind to the 27 year old.
Before reviving his Saints career in the Championship last season, he was struggling for goals. He'd only managed four across his first two seasons at the club while playing in the top flight - returning a goal for every £3.75million they spent on him.
The former Blackburn forward didn't have a clear role in the squad during this period. He was used as a winger, striker and even a wing-back. Adam Armstrong's Premier League heat map (Image: Wyscout) Suggesting his lack of fixed position was due to his poor form would be fair, but you can also reach a point where this becomes a self-perpetuating cycle.
A player's role is reduced due to poor form but their lack of regular game time then prevents that player from gaining any real momentum. Armstrong played more minutes in last season (4,436) than he did across his first two years at St Mary's (4,130). Adam Armstrong played the most minutes of any attack.