Welcome back to Last Word on Football’s Team of the Decade series. Today’s edition looks at the players who have made it into the Southampton team of the decade. To say that the Saints had an eventful decade would be an understatement. The decade began with the club in League One and a Wembley final. Since then, the Saints have got themselves back into the Premier League, been to a League Cup final and competed in Europe.
Southampton Team of the Decade
Manager – Ronald Koeman
A tough choice between Koeman, Mauricio Pochettino and Nigel Adkins, the Dutchman gets the nod. Replacing Pochettino after he departed for Tottenham Hotspur, Ronald Koeman would lead the Saints to a seventh-place Premier League finish, thus qualifying for Europe. The following season, Koeman led his team to sixth in the table, once again qualifying for Europe.
Team of the Decade Formation: 4-2-3-1
The Saints formation for much of the past decade, it’s a formation that has served them well. The formatiom may not be best suited to the team selected; however, the quality of the players in the team should ensure that the formation works.
Goalkeeper – Fraser Forster
An imposing presence in goal, 6ft 7in Fraser Forster played 125 games for the club after signing from Celtic for £10 million. Forster was the Saints most successful keeper over the past 10 years, keeping more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper.
Right-Back – Nathaniel Clyne
Breaking into the England squad while at St Mary’s, Nathaniel Clyne was a permanent fixture in the first-team during his time on the South Coast. One of several players in this team to move on to Liverpool, Clyne was a dependable, pacey fullback who made over 100 appearances for the club.
Central Defender – Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk spent two and a half years at the club, making 80 appearances. Now seen by many as the best central defender in the world, he was voted the best player Southampton have had in the past ten years, making him an easy choice for the team of the decade. A £14 million signing from Celtic, the Dutchman would help the club to a sixth-place finish and feature in the Europa League. Van Dijk moved onto Liverpool for a then world-record fee for a defender, £75 million.
Central Defender – José Fonte
Signed when the club were in League One, José Fonte would help the club back to the Premier League. Making 288 appearances, Fonte was a permanent and important player during his time at the club. He won the majority of his Portugal caps while at St Mary’s before moving onto West Ham United after eight seasons on the south coast.
Left-Back – Luke Shaw
A product of the Southampton Academy, Luke Shaw joined at the age of eight. Just another eight years later, Shaw, at 16, made his debut for the first team. An exceptional talent while at the club, it didn’t take long before other clubs took notice. After just 67 games, Southampton accepted a bid in the region of £30 million from Manchester United in 2014 for their star teenager.
Centre Midfield – Victor Wanyama
Arguably the best midfielder Saints fans have seen in the last decade, Victor Wanyama was a star performer, protecting the defence like few others have done. A Pochettino signing in 2012, the midfield destroyer had his best time under Ronald Koeman. After four years he would once again sign for Pochettino, joining Spurs in the summer of 2016.
Centre Midfield – Steven Davis
Northern Ireland international Steven Davis may not have had the best attacking qualities but if it wasn’t for him, players with that extra quality may not have got the ball. A player who would give 100% in every game would delight fans with his work ethic alone. A former captain of the club, Davis would make 226 appearances, scoring 14 goals.
Centre Midfield – Morgan Schneiderlin
Signed as an 18-year-old in 2008, Morgan Schneiderlin would help the club recover from their relegations to fight their way back to the Premier League. A fan favourite, he would win the Player of the Year award at the end of the club’s first season back in the top flight. Having played 260 games, Schneiderlin moved to Manchester United for £30 million.
Right-Wing – Adam Lallana
Adam Lallana was another player who came through the academy and another who would help the club rise from League One to the Premier League. After just two seasons in the top flight, Lallana’s form attracted the interest of Liverpool. He would sign for the Reds for around £25 million. A skilful two-footed player, Lallana was an excellent player for the Saints and played a big part in the club returning to the Premier League.
Left-Wing – Sadio Mane
A two-minute 56-second hattrick against Aston Villa helped put Sadio Mane into the greatest ever debate at Southampton. A player with electric pace and skill to match it, Mane had an eye for goal and an assist. He moved to Liverpool (where else) for £34 million in 2016, and the Senegalese international is now regarded as one of the best in the world.
Striker – Rickie Lambert
Southampton fans have seen some good strikers grace the St Mary’s pitch over the last decade. However, few would argue against Rickie Lambert from claiming the strikers’ place in this team. Top scorer in four of his five seasons at the club, Lambert was a major part in helping the club go from League One to the Championship, then onto the Premier League. 117 goals in 235 games, along with his consistently excellent performances, gives Lambert star status at Southampton.
Team of the Decade Substitutes:
Kelvin Davis, Ryan Bertrand, Toby Alderwiereld, James Ward-Prowse, Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle, Jay Rodriguez.
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