SAINTS winger Sam Edozie tries to look back at his first senior season as “a positive” but admits he went through “every phase” as a young player.

The 20 year old went from being an impact substitute to an almost certain starter to completely cast out of the squad as Saints themselves went through three managers.

Edozie, signed on deadline day from Manchester City and following the same path as Romeo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu, penned a long-term contract until 2027.

Edozie made seven substitute appearances and no starts in the Premier League under Ralph Hasenhuttl but played in every game under Nathan Jones – starting five of the eight.

READ MORE: Southampton's Wilcox calls for 'unwavering belief' after Martin hire

However, when Hasenhuttl’s assistant, Ruben Selles, replaced the Welshman, Edozie featured for just 24 minutes in the final 16 games despite the club making a dismal effort of avoiding relegation.

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“I look at it as a positive, I learned a lot – it was a very tough season and for me it was up and down. I went through every phase,” Edozie told the Daily Echo.

“I had coming off the bench, starting every game and then being completely out of the squad. I’m young and for my first season in my men’s football, Premier League.

“It’s definitely something I can learn from and take into my career in the future. Definitely, I 100 per cent want to be starting. Once the goals and assists start coming that’s something that I definitely will do.”

Although Edozie featured heavily under Jones, the pacey winger was often used in a more defensive wing-back role as the former Luton Town man rolled the dice on a struggling squad.

“I like to learn different positions. That’s the best thing a player can do, to be able to play different positions,” Edozie insisted.

“That’s something that Nathan Jones wanted and I was playing quite defensive – if that’s what the manager wants me to do, I’m going to do it with no complaints. I learned a lot under him.”

Although Edozie has scored twice for England’s under-20 team since signing at St Mary’s, the London-born youngster is still searching for his first official Saints goal or assist.

He insisted: “It’s about commitment, positioning and timing. All players have times like this in their career and I’m only a young player.

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“I don’t see it as too much of a negative as I know it will come soon. I see it as a positive, I’m working on it every day and as long as I keep working it will come.”

The Manchester City cohort at Saints has increased further still since Edozie signing with former teammate Shea Charles becoming the second signing of the summer.

The defensive midfielder was brought in by the new director of football Jason Wilcox, who helped bring Edozie to Etihad Stadium for a reported seven-figure fee from Millwall in 2019.

“I was very close to him back at Man City so to see another familiar face at Southampton is a really nice feeling,” Edozie said.

READ MORE: Southampton's Martin expects Edozie to hurt the opposition this season

Wilcox has also taken 100 per cent responsibility for the hire of Russell Martin, who is looking to implement a style similar to that Edozie and his City teammates have always played.

“It’s a different style of play (to last season) but one I really like. I’ve really enjoyed working with him and coming into training every day has been a joy,” the starlet insisted.

Edozie had been linked with a move away from Saints this summer but such speculation was inaccurate and fuelled by his absence from the squad’s pre-season trip to Turkey.

The exciting prospect was carrying a minor injury but, after making a substitute return in the win at Reading, Edozie made back-to-back starts at St Mary’s last week.

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He hopes he has done enough to convince manager Martin that he is the man to start at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough on Friday evening for the Championship season opener.

“I’m getting there. I still wouldn’t say I’m at 100% but that is what pre-season is for, to get your sharpness back. I’m working hard and come Friday I’ll be 100 per cent,” Edozie said.

“Personally, my performance was okay (versus AZ Alkmaar) but I wasn’t as involved as I would like to be – some games are going to be like that for me.

“I try to see every game as a positive and a learning curve so I’m excited for the next one, and I thought the team performance was a very good one.

“I feel like we dominated them and scored from one of their two shots, but they’re a top side in their country so to play like that shows we can take a lot of positives.”