Southampton facing a potential un-wanted exodus
Southampton has garnered an ever-growing reputation this season under the stewardship of Mauricio Pochettino. Un-afraid to have a go at the big clubs, they play an attractive brand of football that has not gone un-noticed. Recent call-ups to the national team over the past months for Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert and now recently for Luke Shaw have thrust these players into the spot light properly. Unfortunately for Southampton, that also has caused much speculation on the future employers of these players and may for a few more of their prized personnel.
The unfortunate nature of the Premier League, is that smaller clubs can rarely hold on to their younger domestic players – it makes it very hard to keep your side in tact and help them grow both on and off the pitch in the hopes of creating something special when large sums of money are being thrown around in the hopes of prizing those players away. The upside, however, are those very large sums of money that can help a club grow off the pitch (their youth and training facilities, their stadiums) which in turn can attract players which can replace those who went on to greener pastures. Depending on what Southampton and Pochettino have envisioned for the club, it will certainly be tested this summer and potentially be railroaded before it has even begun.
Let’s have a look at the players who the Saints will no doubt receive a host of phone calls, faxes, emails and in-person visits in regards to their availability and whether or not they will remain in a Saints kit after the summer transfer window comes steamrolling into the south of England.
Nathaniel Clyne
The 22-year-old right back has quietly become one of the more consistent players in that position in the league. He has yet to be considered for England but that won’t last much longer. He marks his opposition well and is solid getting forward down the flank. The good news for Soton supporters is that there are not many top clubs, if any that would look to make a swoop for him in the coming summer, though that can always change. Arsenal are looking to the continent for a long-term replacement for Bacary Sagna, Chelsea have Cesar Azpilicueta, Manchester City prefer to buy big, Liverpool are keeping faith in John Flanagan and Tottenham will be leaning on Kyle Walker for years to come. That realistically only leaves Manchester United as the only big domestic club that could come calling, but given expectations of a massive clear out as well as plenty of new faces into Old Trafford could see some activity, but I doubt it.
Prediction: Clyne will most likely stay in a Southampton shirt come next season however there is no telling for how long. His progress and his tender age will no doubt make him a target for someone over the next couple of years. However his future over the summer will be completely dependent on the transfer market and a move to Arsenal would not be out of the realm of possibility depending on matters with Bacary Sagna.
Luke Shaw
His recent call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad to face Denmark says it all. At only just age 18 and already arguably the most complete left back in England (Leighton Baines naturally has plenty to say on that matter), Shaw will no doubt attract a ton of attention this summer from some of the big boys. For such a young player, his ability to shut down his flank combined with his excellent positional awareness and his ability to get forward at just the right time is exceptional. Much like the aforementioned Baines, he too can deliver quality set pieces – he is very much a complete player who can only get better as time progresses. But where can I see him heading? Chelsea and Manchester United are the two top clubs who have aging players in the same position – Ashley Cole is on his last legs soon at Chelsea, while Patrice Evra may leave United in the summer and even if he does not, a fresh look at the position is required. Chelsea have their sugar daddy Roman Abrahmovic and his endless cheque book while United have promised Moyes a vast amount money to finance an overhaul of the squad in the summer.
Prediction: I honestly see Shaw going to Chelsea – he is a like for like replacement for Cole and Mourinho is never afraid to give young players a starting birth as long as they impress and he has gone on record this season in his admiration of Shaw. United could come calling if Chelsea don’t prize the Southampton youngster, especially if Evra heads for the exit door. No less than 25million will be required to let the player go however and any bidding war between the two will most likely seal the deal for Chelsea as United have to consider all the other positions they need to strengthen.
James Ward-Prowse
The future is bright indeed for Ward-Prowse however a move away from St. Mary’s seems a little on the unlikely side. For all his upside and growth potential, he is still pretty unrefined as a footballing package. At age 19, he still features on a regular basis for the Saints and, like Clyne, is a quiet performer. He has been capped from U17 all the way to U21, which means he is on the radar not only at national level, but at club level as well yet he does not get the same attention as his other homegrown teammates. Ward-Prowse is certainly a player that Soton can look to build something around in the future and given the position he plays (central midfield) and the track record of the big clubs going for foreign players in that position rather than domestic, Southampton can rest easy this summer and the next few after that
Prediction: As stated before, I just cannot see him leaving the south coast in the next few years. He is from the region born and bred and has been with the club since 2003. Naturally money and personal aspirations can always change matters. The eventual decline and retirement of Steven Gerrard could open the door for a move to Liverpool in the future however, but that again is some years down the road.
Jay Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a tricky player to give an assessment to and predict how he will grow as the season’s progress. He has features in the Premier League previously before his move to Southampton during his time with Burnley, though he was much younger and did not play much at all before being loaned out. His goal scoring record for Burnley in the Championship was fairly strong, netting 31 goals in 105 appearances. For Southampton last term he could only contribute 6 league goals, but it would be this season’s blistering start and scintillating form at times that has him firmly on radar to the point that he has been called up on multiple occasions by Roy Hodgson – but is it Rodriguez himself that has caused his rise in form or has it been his chemistry with Adam Lallana? The two without question make a very formidable tandem going forward and have almost an inseparable mind on the pitch, however that fact could make Rodriguez a gamble more than a sure thing.
Prediction: I see him staying with the Saints for at least another campaign. He has played quite well this season but for me he is still unproven in what he can do in the Premier League without his partner-in-crime Lallana. Should he have another strong season next campaign, a move to a bigger club would surely be on the cards. I don’t see him going to one of the traditional big boys, but a move to a side like Tottenham could be a very realistic proposition.
Adam Lallana
Southampton’s captain and talisman has been a complete revelation for the south coast club over the last two seasons. Not known as a goal scorer, he is incredibly creative, mobile and a very tricky player both on and off the ball. He has an excellent understanding of his positional responsibilities and he boasts a strong work ethic, un-afraid to track back and defend despite often being deployed out wide or just behind the striker. His performances this term have netted him a pair of caps for England and he has received favorable reviews for his efforts – he is certainly in the conversation for the plane to Brazil in the summer. At age 25, he is coming into his own and is on the cusp of reaching his prime playing years and it will be hard to see him resist a move to a bigger club. He has already been linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer during David Moyes’ inevitable over-haul of his side. This is a move that Lallana will not only want to take, but must take if he is to progress his career not only at club level but for England.
Prediction: Lallana will move this summer to United. It is a move that will no doubt propel his career as a footballer to a new level where he can shine. Not only will he have bigger expectations, but he will eventually be playing in European competitions once United are inevitably back on track and that will help him grow as a player, which in turn will benefit both himself and the national team. A size-able bid will be required, probably upwards of 20million pounds, which, along with the money they will receive for Luke Shaw can help them replace their losses and add much needed quality in depth.
Southampton have always been known for their excellent youth system, so the loss of key personnel will not hurt them going forward in the long run. If they limit their losses to Shaw and Lallana, those two players can not only be replaced but even further reinforcement can be brought in to solidify their status in England’s top league. Whatever money is not spent will no doubt be invested into the club directly where they can breed further Ward-Prowse’s and Shaw’s.