MY ACCOUNT
Southampton are nestled comfortably in 10th place in the Premier League table — but they will be looking to go to the next level this summer.
The Saints are on a good run of form and can make it six games without defeat in all competitions if they pick up a result against struggling Norwich tonight.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl rejected January recruits as he only wanted players who could make an immediate impact, so there should be money in the kitty during the next transfer window.
Ahead of this evening’s encounter, we take a look at where the South Coast side can strengthen, in order to reach the upper echelons of England’s top tier.
Blues brothers
Southampton’s recruitment from Chelsea has proven to be fruitful in recent months.
Promising right-back Tino Livramento was signed from the West London club, with a promise of first-team football convincing the teenager to leave Stamford Bridge.
He has been a revelation this season — and the club would do well to repeat this trick in the future.
They also have Blues youngster Armando Broja on loan, who they are believed to be keen on signing permanently ahead of next season.
The Saints have been linked with 19-year-old Chelsea midfielder Xavier Simons too. He could arrive on a similar loan deal, if Hasenhuttl thinks he is ready for senior football.
With plenty of talented academy players struggling to force their way into Thomas Tuchel’s first team, Southampton could use this relationship to their advantage.
Long-term squad building
Hasenhuttl’s Saints are not usually the type of team to go for a quick fix — and rightly so.
They now find themselves in a position where they have a base from which to build, with a core of quality players in their squad.
The mid-table Premier League clubs who are looking to reach the next level have to be very savvy in the way they go about their transfer business.
There is a fine line between strengthening the team with shrewd moves and upsetting the balance of the squad.
Being on the right side of that divide can be the difference between fighting for the European spots or a relegation battle.
Potential targets
The club have been linked with Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill, who has impressed at Turf Moor this season.
His goal against Brighton last weekend propelled the 26-year-old further into the spotlight, so a number of sides may well be chasing his signature this summer.
There have also been rumours that the Saints could move for Japan internationals Ritsu Doan of PSV Eindhoven and Kyogo Furuhashi, who only recently joined Celtic.
Other players whose names have been linked include Rangers playmaker Joe Aribo and Blackburn’s Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz — but Southampton will have to be certain these players can make the step up from the Scottish Premiership and the Championship respectively.
Ward off Ward-Prowse suitors
As well as looking to retain the services of Broja, Southampton will need to ensure they do all they can to keep their star players — especially James Ward-Prowse.
The midfielder is a key part of their team and his set-piece delivery is irreplaceable.
Of course, when you have a player with such unique talent on your books, it is inevitable other teams will come calling.
And at 27, Ward-Prowse may be ready to make his next move.
With a World Cup on the horizon, the Englishman will be looking to make the squad. Southampton need to convince him that his best chance of doing so is by playing regular football at St Mary’s.
Replacing departures
Hasenhuttl has accepted that there will be times when he loses his best players.
Speaking in the wake of Danny Ings’ departure for Aston Villa in August, he said: “It is tough if you lose players in the summer, it is tough if you lose your top scorer.
“It takes a bit of time to build up a new team but this is the job you have to do if you want to be the manager of this club because it will also happen in the future.
“This is normal in football, especially for us as a club. With all the promise we had after every season and then we lose our best players, you have to start again and again and again.
“But this is the way you have to work and — in the end — when you have the patience and the passion for this club, then you know that you’ll come back.
“It’s important that you keep on going and keep on finding solutions.”
If any of Southampton’s key men leave in the coming months, they will need to be certain that their replacements are up to the job.
