It’s all change at Southampton,
out with the old and in the new but the key question; is the new superior?
Last season Southampton recorded
their highest ever finish in the Premier League, they were the only team, other
than Chelsea, to record a win at fortress Anfield and boasted a predominantly
English side packed with (untypical in most English players) flair, swagger and
confidence.
But with losing Manager
Pochettino, talisman Adam Lallana, best left back in the league Luke Shaw and
super striker Ricky Lambert (with Dejan Lovren and Callum Chambers also looking
increasingly likely to head for the exit) it seems that Southampton will
struggle to cope next season in the Premier League.
Having already lost nearly all
of his First X1, new Manager Ronald Koeman faces the daunting task of replacing
last year’s ‘irreplaceables’. So far Koeman has done well in recruiting big
Italian striker Graziano Pelle from his ex club Feyenoord and Midfield maestro
Dusan Tadic from FC Twente, both used to play in the Eredivisie, a league that
Koeman has a vast repertoire of knowledge in and a league he will inevitably go
back to for further recruits.
Similar to Everton, Southampton
has a rich history of developing young players into world stars. Recent stars
that have come out of the academy include: Gareth Bale, Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Adam Lallana all of whom are now are
playing Champions League football. You may argue they have the best academy in
Britain. And also similar to other
teams who aren’t as financially attractive as teams like Chelsea and Manchester
City, Southampton never seem capable of warding off interest and keeping hold
of their big stars. As when one of the supposed ‘big four’ comes in for one of their
players with ridiculously high offers, the promise of Champions League football
and silverware, it becomes hard to say no that sort temptation.
And this transfer window has
been no different with Liverpool taking Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert and
Manchester United taking Luke Shaw all for a combined total of roughly £60million.
Football just isn’t fair is it?
Unsurprisingly though,
Southampton have linked with many names, names that would replace the priceless
stars that they have lost already this transfer window. Here are a few players
that Ronald Koeman plans to sign as part of his £70million Southampton makeover:
Virgil van Djik – It seems that Southampton are
lining up a bid for the Dutch centre back, surely a replacement for the exit
bound Dejan Lovren, for the high price tag of £10million; a price tag set by
Celtic to deter potential Premier League suitors. But it seems that, despite
strong interest from Swansea and high price tag, van Djik would be fond of the
prospect of linking up with fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman.
Jordy Clasie – Yet again Jordy Clasie,
nicknamed the Dutch ‘Xavi’, has been linked to Southampton as a result of
speculation and uncertainty regarding one of their current first X1 players;
Morgan Schneiderlin. Who has
recently been subject to interest from Spurs and Arsenal. Jordy Clasie who is
currently playing at Feyenoord (Koeman’s ex club) was Koeman’s captain last
season. 23-Year old Clasie is renowned for his incredible passing and vision
and in the past has been linked with top clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester
United. He would be a terrific signing for Southampton.
Frasier Forster – The England international is
just about the only player in this list that isn’t a target that isn’t being
signed to replace the loss of a first team player. Current Southampton No.1,
Artur Boruc, has obviously been deemed, as not good enough by new boss Koeman
who is now searching for a new Goalkeeper and Frasier Forster seems to be is
his No.1 target. Forster’s international and European experience would prove
invaluable to Southampton. Forster is also, you could say, winning trophies
that are a regular occurrence at Celtic, and who knows, maybe he might help
bring a trophy or two to St. Mary’s in the coming years.
Ron Vlaar – The current Aston Villa
captain is also a current transfer target for Southampton. Koeman has
identified Vlaar as a potential replacement for exit bound duo Jose Fonte (to
Cardiff) and Dejan Lovren (to Liverpool). But, unfortunately for Southampton,
It seems as though Koeman’s attempts to sign Vlaar are damned as recently Paul
Lambert, Aston Villa manager, issued a very assertive hands off warning and it
now looks like the only way the deal could ensue is if Vlaar hands in a
transfer request and endeavours to force it through. In my opinion Ron Vlaar is
one of the most underrated centre backs in the league; he’s a great leader of
men and has recently proved he can do it on the world stage handling the likes
of Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and Diego Costa with ease. He, also, would be a
tremendous signing for Koeman’s Southampton.
By @joelymo444
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