Many avid Premier League followers might have been less accustomed to hearing about Southampton in football; after last season, Mauricio Pochettino had built the team up to be pretty formidable, with Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers being a handful of the most sought after players in the division. Saints were certainly on the radar of many. This season, with Dutchman, Ronald Koeman, at the helm, Saints are shining in third position. This accolade is something most unassuming Saints fans would never have even dabbled in dreaming about; the worry now begins to creep in that those players keeping Saints afloat might be ready for pastures new when this season ends.
Transfer Rumours at St. Mary’s: What Will Become of Southampton?
After the World Cup razzle and dazzle in the summer, echoes of Morgan Schneiderlin’s desperation to leave Saints began to circulate. Several contradictory articles discussed his offers and desire to extricate himself from the team, but he has since remained at the club. Many have quizzed the Frenchman about whether he might make a different choice this January, or even in the summer. Of course, my words here are sheer speculation also, but I think Schneiderlin could be one to say goodbye after all of this season’s fun. Ronald Koeman has claimed to want no part in selling Schneiderlin, but the decision might not be wholly his. I, for one, think that it could go either way.
It has come to my attention that Ronald Koeman is also vulnerable to rumours about leaving Southampton for another club in the summer. This is not only a painful thought, but one I can’t help but think would be silly to entertain. The impact he has had at Saints has been remarkable; his ability to assimilate and build players’ strength and power on the pitch is clearly something which boosts a team to a top four spot. Indeed, Pochettino decided to jump ship last season, and move on to manage Tottenham Hotspur, but Koeman seems to have found his rightful place among men clad in red and white stripes.
Debates about whether Saints will emerge victorious with a top four plot intertwines with the speculation about Koeman leaving his post. Perhaps it would be useful to consider how he would feel should Saints claim a share in the Champions League matches next season; if this rather small, rather humble little team from England’s south coast can climb the ranks to such an extraordinary place, surely their devout boss will retain his managerial role? It would be foolish to presume that Ronald Koeman wouldn’t be tempted to dip a toe elsewhere, but I’m just not confident that he would so easily leave the team behind that he has sculpted into a force to be reckoned with.
Further still, Koeman has signed a string of Dutch and Dutch-linked players since he seized control; the now-infamous Dušan Tadić and Graziano Pellè both made their mark after playing within the Dutch league, the Eredivisie, whilst newbie, Eljero Elia, is a Dutch international on loan to the club from Werder Bremen. If Koeman wasn’t interested in a future with Southampton, why devote so much effort into hand-selecting talent scouted from the Netherlands? This all rather hints at the Saints coach tailoring his squad to his taste.
This leads straight into the question surrounding Pellè; many have quibbled about whether he will stay with Southampton as well. My answer: why would he not? At the very least, he’s been able to showcase his illustrious skills in the Premier League, tipped as a footballing main stage, of sorts. Lest we forget, his great displays of finery upfront have also earned him a place in the Italian national team. This is something rather incredible for a man in such a profession, aged 29.
Pellè’s work ethic is also something to be applauded; I’ve mentioned before how striking he is (pardon the pun) in terms of his differences to many footballers. Unfortunately, what was originally an energetic, fairly competitive sport is now associated with wealth and gluttony. Yes, that might sound a tad scathing coming from somebody who enjoys watching the sport, but Pellè understands his role within the team, and how scoring goals is the job he has undertaken, and payment is for his efforts. His position as a striker is at the forefront. The majority of footballers are in it for the game, and Pellè is, too. However, to leave would be to walk away from his vital position, and perhaps wander into the trap of being side-lined at a bigger club. If anything, Rickie Lambert is a prime example of what can happen. I think Pellè will certainly have a lot of interest by the end of the season, but would he really leave? What if Saints do make the Champions League? Ooh, just think.
Again, this is another consideration regarding Saints maintaining a top four spot; they have been the team in the past who would not be surprised when they faced relegation. The punishing outcomes endured by former Saints have created a drought in assumption among fans; nobody ever expects Saints to do well. They now have an outstanding squad, with options on and off the bench, but they still don’t expect much. They have reached a point where they could, but what drives them is the knowledge that nobody is going to make too much of a fuss if they come a little short of the chief goal.
For sides such as Arsenal and Manchester United, neither have been particularly wonderful this season, but their many supporters place far too much on their shoulders. Their burden to bear is the possibility that they might not finish so well. For Southampton, they have been much more consistent than both of these teams, but do not have to prove anything to their support network.
Manchester United have been straddled with pricey players who have failed to gel especially well, after Louis van Gaal snatched the reins; whilst Arsène Wenger has been criticised for choosing poorly when it’s come down to winning formations. Neither team have been particularly out for blood, yet have a string of world class talent to their name. Perhaps, in Southampton’s case, they have been able to utilise their players in a more effective fashion. As to whether beating United and Arsenal automatically warrants a top four place, that is arguable.
As I have explained, I think Saints lack the rich history those teams possess in spades, but Saints have set a new benchmark that even some of the wealthier teams cannot pierce through. The real test possibly ought to be beating Chelsea or Manchester City; but Saints aren’t looking to reach the top… or are they?
Retaining third might be a tall order; Saints have dipped above and below the top four line throughout the process, and I wouldn’t be at all shocked if they continued to do so. I do, however, think that they could certainly clamber back up to finish in a prestigious place, gaining access to the Champions League. But, they must be fearless, watertight and understand their weaknesses to do so. Perhaps that sounds a tad outlandish? Well, look at the facts; yes, Sadio Mané has left to partake in the Africa Cup of Nations, but Eljero Elia is poised and ready for what the Premier League entails. Saints will remain as rigid as they have been all season, but with a breadth of experience to call upon to help them not to make the same mistakes.
I think it’s absolutely doable; Saints could finish in the top four and quietly knock everybody’s socks off.
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