Lallana will bring back Saints' identity - Lambert
Rickie Lambert: 'Lallana was the best I played with'
- Published
Adam Lallana's fine footwork has already cemented him as a Saints legend, but former team-mate Rickie Lambert says Lallana's leadership off the pitch was just as important to their success.
Lallana announced his retirement on Wednesday but will remain with the Saints in a coaching position under new boss Will Still.
"When anyone asks me who's the best player I've played with, I played with this lad probably the most," Lambert told BBC Radio Solent.
"It was just a pleasure to play with him, to be honest. He's such a great lad off the pitch, real good character, and then on the pitch, a real leader.
"As a character to have around the dressing room, just as influential as on the pitch."
Lallana helped Southampton to two successive promotions to see them reach the Premier League, scoring 60 times in his 283 appearances for the side.
But as for what the 37-year-old can do now he's in the backroom, Lambert believes it'll be to bring back what made Southampton so successful in their back-to-back promotion run.
"If you lose your identity of your history, your team, you're in trouble," Lambert added.
"What Southampton had going up the leagues was a core of players who believed in the Southampton way and that kind of got lost.
"Now Adam is one of the main coaches and he's going to make it clear if you are joining this club, you are joining because you love it. He'll make sure that each player is giving it 100%."
