Michael Obafemi became the second youngest player to appear for Southampton in the Premer League when he came off the bench to replace Manolo Gabbiadini against Spurs on Sunday.
Obafemi, an Ireland U19 international, is just 17. The young striker missed a good opportunity during his brief time on the pitch but still impressed with his movement.
Post-match, Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino had some words of praise for the striker.
I think he's a really fast player. I think the spirit is the most important quality but also he's a good finisher and I observed that their back four was really high and he will have some chances.
He was there really close but it's the beginning of his career, still he has to grow a lot but to us, that we have had a good history with our home-grown players, Michael is one more.
Obafemi's opportunity came due to the misfortune of another Irish striker. He was a surprise inclusion in the Southampton squad as Shane Long was suffering from an illness.
Mauricio Pellegrino praises Michael Obafemi after handing the 17-year-old striker his senior #SaintsFC debut: pic.twitter.com/fOfpNWXUtK
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 21, 2018
