Leo Scienza

[AlexLaw76]

Such a brilliant player, amazing close ball control and excellent running with it.

If there is an improvement then it is his finishing. That is what will stop him from the very top.

[Fabrice29]

On 05/04/2026 at 07:26, Harry_SFC said:

I'm still not convinced a premier league club will sign him if we don't go up. 28 and he does lack the required decision making/finishing in the final third I think. Other than that he is a very good player though. 

Possibly a promoted team or a side towards the bottom of the table? 

I thought this for a long time and still do really, especially the 28 bit BUT I found Matthew Benhams comments recently about Beto quite interesting. Basically saying players who get into positions to score are much more appealing than clinical ones that don't as much. Think Leo would appeal to a lot of like minded recruitment teams in that sense. Presumably given what we spent on him and only being 1 year into a contract we would want a hefty price though so maybe that would be enough to deter onlookers.

[saintant]

On 05/04/2026 at 07:26, Harry_SFC said:

I'm still not convinced a premier league club will sign him if we don't go up. 28 and he does lack the required decision making/finishing in the final third I think. Other than that he is a very good player though. 

Possibly a promoted team or a side towards the bottom of the table? 

Do you not think he's better than Martinelli? I bet a lot of Arsenal fans think he is.

[AlexLaw76]

10 hours ago, saintant said:

Do you not think he's better than Martinelli? I bet a lot of Arsenal fans think he is.

Madness

[goodymatt]

Saints Web not letting me share a Twitter link but reports this afternoon that Scienza has a £25m release clause:

🚨 Southampton winger Leo Scienza has a £25m release clause, amid reported interest from Premier League clubs — Saints, though, are ‘working to renew his contract’ #saintsfc @pimentelmidia

[Turkish]

On 05/04/2026 at 06:15, Sheaf Saint said:

Yep. I was dubious about wanting us to go up only to get embarrassed again like last season. But it's the only way we're going to see the likes of Leo, Peretz and Charles still playing for us next season, and I have total faith that this team with Tonda at the helm would be light years better than our last PL team. 

Just the fact that Tonda watches and adapts to the opposition means we'll do better, rather than sticking devoutly to a philosophy which was clear very early on was going to fail at that level

[Patrick Bateman]

55 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

Saints Web not letting me share a Twitter link but reports this afternoon that Scienza has a £25m release clause:

🚨 Southampton winger Leo Scienza has a £25m release clause, amid reported interest from Premier League clubs — Saints, though, are ‘working to renew his contract’ #saintsfc @pimentelmidia

Pay him whatever it takes, get it done! I'd day that about a few players now ... !

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

2 hours ago, goodymatt said:

Saints Web not letting me share a Twitter link but reports this afternoon that Scienza has a £25m release clause:

🚨 Southampton winger Leo Scienza has a £25m release clause, amid reported interest from Premier League clubs — Saints, though, are ‘working to renew his contract’ #saintsfc @pimentelmidia

I hope he hasn't got this clause!

[SNSUN]

3 hours ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Pay him whatever it takes, get it done! I'd day that about a few players now ... !

If we don't go up I think he's gone anyway but £25 million would be a slap in the bollocks. A profit, sure,  but we could get more without the clause if that's true.

[Lord Duckhunter]

16 hours ago, SNSUN said:

but we could get more without the clause if that's true.

He might not of signed without that clause 

[Pilchards]

Has this guy become the new Archer.

Personally think he’s been off it these last few games but today was shocking.

 

[Wurzel]

50 minutes ago, Pilchards said:

Has this guy become the new Archer.

Personally think he’s been off it these last few games but today was shocking.

 

Defintely not the player he was since he went ginger

[Toadhall Saint]

55 minutes ago, Pilchards said:

Has this guy become the new Archer.

Personally think he’s been off it these last few games but today was shocking.

 

Shocking - bit OTT not his greatest game but hardly shocking 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 hour ago, Pilchards said:

Has this guy become the new Archer.

Personally think he’s been off it these last few games but today was shocking.

 

How many games you counting mate? If its the last two, yeah everyone looks a bit leggy. If it's the last 3 than you cant say he was off it in the City game surely?

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, Pilchards said:

Has this guy become the new Archer.

Personally think he’s been off it these last few games but today was shocking.

 

I’m not his biggest fan, I think he’s a bit overrated on here. He’s a very good player at this level but I’m not convinced he’ll pull up any trees in the premier league. However, this post is pony. He’s been injured, has played a lot of games which he’s probably not used to, and he hasn’t actually been that bad. He’s still a massive threat and frightens opponents. A week off, and he’ll be back firing on all cylinders. He’s better than other options we’ve got, and the other 3 play off sides would rather not face him…

Edited Saturday at 16:45 by Lord Duckhunter

[BarberSaint]

44 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I’m not his biggest fan, I think he’s a bit overrated on here. He’s a very good player at this level but I’m not convinced he’ll pull up any trees in the premier league. However, this post is pony. He’s been injured, has played a lot of games which he’s probably not used to, and he hasn’t actually been that bad. He’s still a massive threat and frightens opponents. A week off, and he’ll be back firing on all cylinders. He’s better than other options we’ve got, and the other 3 play off sides would rather not face him…

A well-considered post. I wonder who wrote it?

[RedArmy]

4 hours ago, Pilchards said:

Has this guy become the new Archer.

Personally think he’s been off it these last few games but today was shocking.

 

Which games? 
 

Wembley he was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half. 
Ipswich did a great job of getting 2 and sometimes 3 players in front of him every time he got the ball. 
Today wasn’t his best game, no, but everyone has an off day and it’s been a long season. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

2 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I’m not his biggest fan, I think he’s a bit overrated on here. He’s a very good player at this level but I’m not convinced he’ll pull up any trees in the premier league. However, this post is pony. He’s been injured, has played a lot of games which he’s probably not used to, and he hasn’t actually been that bad. He’s still a massive threat and frightens opponents. A week off, and he’ll be back firing on all cylinders. He’s better than other options we’ve got, and the other 3 play off sides would rather not face him…

I’d actually say that’s a pretty accurate summary.

[beatlesaint]

4 hours ago, Pilchards said:

Has this guy become the new Archer.

Personally think he’s been off it these last few games but today was shocking.

 

FFS 🤦‍♂️

One of the most exciting signings we’ve made in years. Full of pace and unpredictable. How many goals and assists this season? 
Seriously? 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

FFS 🤦‍♂️

One of the most exciting signings we’ve made in years. Full of pace and unpredictable. How many goals and assists this season? 
Seriously? 

Agree he is an exciting player to watch in full flow, just think he does go down very easily when he could stay on his feet. Seems to be looking for a free kick at the slightest sign of any contact.

[Willo of Whiteley]

27 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Agree he is an exciting player to watch in full flow, just think he does go down very easily when he could stay on his feet. Seems to be looking for a free kick at the slightest sign of any contact.

Go down easily - biggest understatement and biggest problem with his game

[hypochondriac]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Go down easily - biggest understatement and biggest problem with his game

Is it? I've seen him get legitimately fouled a whole bunch of times. 

[Patrick Bateman]

19 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Is it? I've seen him get legitimately fouled a whole bunch of times. 

Agreed, he gets slyly kicked to shit every match, look back for the pic where you can see his socks have blood on them around the ankles. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

He gets slyly kicked but also goes down like he’s been shot.

I think most of us have pointed out Jack Clarke and Ipswich’s tendencies to get a million penalties/fouls all season, but Leo Scienza is on par in terms of going down, but his theatrics referees ignore.

[hypochondriac]

5 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

He gets slyly kicked but also goes down like he’s been shot.

I think most of us have pointed out Jack Clarke and Ipswich’s tendencies to get a million penalties/fouls all season, but Leo Scienza is on par in terms of going down, but his theatrics referees ignore.

I have rarely seen Scienza con a referee into giving a foul. He goes down a lot but that's because he gets fouled a lot.yes his instinct may be to go down when he gets fouled but that's just smart play imo.

[sfc4prem]

We're all agreed that in the final moments, one to one with a player or in front of goal, he sometimes lacks that killer finish - getting past his player or hitting it hard and low into the net.

He's a jinky nightmare to defend against and I love his personality and ability to drive us up the pitch, but reckon we'll be able to keep hold of him if we don't go up for the above reasons.

[aintforever]

10 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Go down easily - biggest understatement and biggest problem with his game

He is a constant threat and wins us a lot of free-kicks, I don’t see that as a problem.

[saintant]

He does tend to go down too easily and refs will be well aware of this. On the plus side he is difficult to stop and opponents always double up on him which creates space for his team mates. Leo has had a very good first season for us.

[Whitey Grandad]

9 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Is it? I've seen him get legitimately fouled a whole bunch of times. 

So he's fooled you too?

[benjii]

1 hour ago, sfc4prem said:

We're all agreed that in the final moments, one to one with a player or in front of goal, he sometimes lacks that killer finish - getting past his player or hitting it hard and low into the net.

He's a jinky nightmare to defend against and I love his personality and ability to drive us up the pitch, but reckon we'll be able to keep hold of him if we don't go up for the above reasons.

I agree.

I don't see any of the top teams being interested and for the amount of money we would want (presumably at least 25 million) he would be a big gamble for a mid-table team, seeing as he's never played at a higher level than this and he's 27 already. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

4 minutes ago, benjii said:

I agree.

I don't see any of the top teams being interested and for the amount of money we would want (presumably at least 25 million) he would be a big gamble for a mid-table team, seeing as he's never played at a higher level than this and he's 27 already. 

I think the opposite. Done well in his first season in the Championship. Should get better in the second season. Stepped up every time he's moved up a division/league.

A promoted side might take a chance along with several bottom half teams for £25m (if that is the release clause).

But, yes, a top team. Not so much of being so interested. 

Edited 22 hours ago by JohnnyShearer2.0

[BARCELONASAINT]

I can't believe anyone is criticising  Scienza after the season he has given us. He is the flair player everyone loves to see play the game, he is a natural and an absolute joy to watch on the ball. He takes players on and has an end product! Yes he has the odd flaw to his game but if he didn't he wouldn't be playing for Saints! He is one of a few in our team that i would happily spend good money to watch them play.

[Toussaint]

No one had heard of him before he came here, and yet  he’s pretty much continually been a shining light of positivity and excitement, even in our darkest periods. I can’t believe he’s attracting criticism, has he ever even suggested he’s better that championship level? No is the answer if anyone had any doubts. People are judging him as the he was a proven quantity we paid £30 million for and hasn’t quite lived up to his price tag.

 

Scienza is an excellent signing and a top human.

[Willo of Whiteley]

If someone offered £25M I think we would, and we should accept.

But no club is going to offer that. Playing rather keep him.

[JxgrSaint2]

56 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

If someone offered £25M I think we would, and we should accept.

But no club is going to offer that. Playing rather keep him.

Hard disagree - he’s the best forward player we’ve had since Mané

 

creates something out of nothing; when we’re attacking and the ball goes out to him, I have a wave of serene confidence wash over me rather than an expectation that he’ll shit the bed (like numerous previous occupiers of his position).

 

Think if we go up he’ll absolutely piss the Prem and we’ll sell him for £40m+ in season 2

[hypochondriac]

6 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

So he's fooled you too?

No offence Whitey and I do like you but you've been telling everyone that Bazunu was actually a decent keeper and just misunderstood so forgive me if I think you might just be the one in the wrong here.

[CB Fry]

4 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

If someone offered £25M I think we would, and we should accept.

But no club is going to offer that. Playing rather keep him.

You seem weirdly keen on flogging off our best players, usually for under their obvious market value.

[Whitey Grandad]

21 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

No offence Whitey and I do like you but you've been telling everyone that Bazunu was actually a decent keeper and just misunderstood so forgive me if I think you might just be the one in the wrong here.

I don't think you'll find that I've ever described him as decent. Just not as bad as everyone likes to make out.

Regarding Scienza, he does like to throw himself to the ground quite a bit.

[EssEffCee]

8 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I have rarely seen Scienza con a referee into giving a foul. He goes down a lot but that's because he gets fouled a lot.yes his instinct may be to go down when he gets fouled but that's just smart play imo.

He rarely cons them into a foul because they often just wave it away,  but he's definitely one of those players who goes down a lot looking for them.

He'll probably get more given in the Prem if we go up.

[Whitey Grandad]

14 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

He rarely cons them into a foul because they often just wave it away,  but he's definitely one of those players who goes down a lot looking for them.

He'll probably get more given in the Prem if we go up.

I wonder if such behaviour comes from playing in foreign leagues. 

[EssEffCee]

7 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I wonder if such behaviour comes from playing in foreign leagues. 

Think that's a bit outdated now, loads of English players are the same these days.

[Toadhall Saint]

9 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I wonder if such behaviour comes from playing in foreign leagues. 

Hmmm a very outdated attitude.

[Willo of Whiteley]

1 hour ago, CB Fry said:

You seem weirdly keen on flogging off our best players, usually for under their obvious market value.

In no way shape or form am I “keen” to sell our best players.

You’re telling me we’d get at least £30m for Jander who has had one ok season in the Championship, his value hasn’t nearly tripled.

Scienza I said I’d like to see stay, literally said that in an above post; but 100% the club will consider offers if they are stupid, that’s just business. I reckon they would consider £25M. 

As for Shea Charles, he has a year left, he isn’t signing a new contract (unless we go up), £15M for him is good business for us if we sold him.

What’s hard to understand about that? 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[Miltonaggro]

Terrific little player, flashes of Shaquiri and Kinklaze this season. Really hope the lad gets to show he can do it in the Prem for us next season. Best for us and Leo I think. 

[Saint_clark]

Quality player but his output isn't as good as it probably should be, 7 goals and 9 assists.

I would agree that I don't see any prem sides taking a punt on him at the amount we'd want - don't forget how much Armstrong went for as a much more proven Championship player. Would anyone be happy if we sold Scienza for £10-12million? I certainly wouldn't be. 

[CB Fry]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

In no way shape or form am I “keen” to sell our best players.

You’re telling me we’d get at least £30m for Jander who has had one ok season in the Championship, his value hasn’t nearly tripled.

Scienza I said I’d like to see stay, literally said that in an above post; but 100% the club will consider offers if they are stupid, that’s just business. I reckon they would consider £25M. 

As for Shea Charles, he has a year left, he isn’t signing a new contract (unless we go up), £15M for him is good business for us if we sold him.

What’s hard to understand about that? 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

If you're just going to make up things I've said to make yourself feel better fill your boots. You're a bullshitter though.

Edited 12 hours ago by CB Fry

[hypochondriac]

3 hours ago, EssEffCee said:

He rarely cons them into a foul because they often just wave it away,  but he's definitely one of those players who goes down a lot looking for them.

He'll probably get more given in the Prem if we go up.

In my opinion I've seen no clear dives that I can recall. I've seen a lot of times where a rival player has fouled him and his instinct is to go to ground to take the foul.

[ant]

1st in the division for big chances created (21), and 3rd for assists.

[Willo of Whiteley]

1 hour ago, CB Fry said:

If you're just going to make up things I've said to make yourself feel better fill your boots. You're a bullshitter though.

Don’t insinuate things that clearly aren’t true. 🤷🏻‍♂️

We’re in the play offs. Cheer up 😂

29 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

In my opinion I've seen no clear dives that I can recall. I've seen a lot of times where a rival player has fouled him and his instinct is to go to ground to take the foul.

This entirely, then the rolling around doesn’t help his cause, he just makes himself the officials need to watch out for going forward, if he tries to stay on his feet he’d get a bit more grace from the officials.

[RedArmy]

https://playerstats.football/championship/stats/fouls-drawn
 

He is by far the most fouled player per 90 in the league.