Southampton must keep hold of stars this summer

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is keen to tie down the futures of some of his key players

Southampton underwent what can only be described as a mass exodus last summer, with boss Mauricio Pochettino joined through the exit door by previously influential players like Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert.

The mass exodus was greeted by mass hysteria that the Saints were in for a season of trouble and strife.

However, the entrance of Dutch boss Ronald Koeman steadied the ship and not only have they sustained last season’s stability they are sitting in third place in the Premier League.

Loan Stars

Southampton have not only played attractive football this season, but also have the best defensive record in the Premier League. Two players who have been a key to that defensive record, full-back Ryan Bertrand and centre-back Toby Alderweireld are on-loan at St Marys from Chelsea and Atletico Madrid respectively.

Neither was getting first team football at their respective clubs, but at Southampton have been mainstays of that solid Saints backline.

Ryan Bertrand’s performances have had people on the South Coast asking Luke who? He seems to be the epitome of the modern attacking full-back, quick strong and able to go forward and defend. The loan deal has worked out very well for both parties.

Alderweireld had reportedly been tracked by a number of Premier League clubs in his Ajax days, but instead moved to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, where he struggled to command a regular place in their near-all-conquering team last season.

This season he has forged a very good understanding with Portuguese centre-back Jose Fonte. The Belgian is currently out injured and will be a major miss for the Saints.

Futures

Koeman has recently been telling press that it is vital that the club knows what the future holds for some of his key performers this season.

The Dutchman told Sky Sports: “We would like to know fast what the player likes, if there is any possibility to buy that player, and that’s in the case of Ryan and Toby,”

“Of course, we don’t put exactly a deadline on it but we would like to know it soon what the plans are of the players.

“If it is yes and we can do the deal, then fantastic. If not, okay, then we need other players or we have to think about, that we have players in the U21s who can play in those positions.

“I think that it is important that the club is growing, the team is doing very well and the players are very happy.

“They have got the possibility to play in the case of Ryan and Toby. I think we have good possibilities to sign them players.”

Others

The loan players are not the only ones whose futures have been talked about. Former-Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork’s contract expires at the end of the season, while full-back Nathaniel Clyne and winger Jay Rodriguez both have 18 months left on their contracts.

Cork could leave the club at the end of the campaign as a free agent, which would be a loss to the Saints as prior to his recent injury he was starting to fulfil his potential.

Rodriguez and Clyne have both been linked with moves away from the club in the past. Both players would be in-demand if they became available, despite the fact that Rodriguez has missed the whole of the current campaign through injury.

Champions League

The Saints will be keen to tie down their current players and add to them in the summer, as they are currently heading for the Champions League next season, which they are odds of 6/4 to qualify for.

Although the Saints have been successful this season you can bet that a number of their players will be waiting to see where the team finishes in the league this season before making a decision on their long-term futures.

Southampton’s Lazarus rise from the dead this season may be impressive, but surely not even the super Saints can rebuild their team every summer and that is why it is so vital for the club to attempt to tie down their current stars now.

The difference to last summer is that Southampton could very well be in the Champions League next season, which I am sure could be enough to persuade their current stars to commit their futures to the club.

Can Southampton keep hold of their key players this summer?