Untrue exaggeration to say that he was atrocious last season. When he was used in his natural position (DM) he looked very good; in January 2024 Flynn Downes labelled the performances of teammate Shea Charles "a joke" and added: "I wish I was as good as him when I was 20." He was also playing his first season in senior professional football. Admittedly, his performances dropped in the 2nd half of the season and his quality under pressure was exposed but a lot of this was, in my opinion, due to the way RM was asking Southampton to play which didn't suit his style. I am very glad to see him back, I think he will mature into an excellent PL level midfielder and his Championship experience this season will stand him in good stead (if he isn't sold).