In the second part of our look at who should be kept and who should be moved on we take a look at the full backs and whether there will be more following Kyle Walker Peters out of St Mary's.

Saints have a lot of options in the full back department with options on both sides of the field, Kyle Walker Peters will be leaving as he is out of contract on July 1st, but that still leaves at least two options on each flank.

Yuri Sugawara

He signed last summer from AZ Alkmaar for a fee of around £5 million and initially looked to be a good option on the right, scoring a stunning goal in his 3rd appearance, although it would be a consolation goal in another debacle at Brentford.

But although he was good going forward, defensively he was not so hot, he would start 16 games and another 14 off the bench, but was he Premier League class, that is open to debate.

In the Championship though it could be a different matter and he could excel, but whether he will want to is also a question not yet answered.

I would keep him, but Saints should have no problem getting their money back on the Japanese International.

verdict - Keep potential transfer value £5 million.

James Bree

The signing from Luton Town has always been an enigma, he played a lot in the centre for Luton but mainly at right back for Saints.

He is a whole hearted player, but although he is not Premier League quality, he is a steady Championship proven player, but is that enough and with his contract up in a years time Saints might look to clear him out now.

Verdict Sell ! Transfer potential value £2 million.

Charlie Taylor

Able to play as a full back or more centrally in a back 3, Taylor was never given a chance by any of the 3 managers he has played under since joining from Burnley a year ago, but showed against Arsenal in the last game, the experience, quality and class that we lacked last season.

Proven in the Premier League & Championship, it beggars the question how did he only start 3 games last season plus 5 off the bench, he could be a real asset next season.

He still has a year left on his contract, so utilise him.

Verdict Keep! Potential transfer value £2 million.

Juan Larios

The forgotten man of Southampton FC in his 3 seasons he has managed just 2 starts and 3 sub appearances in the League and only a minutes as a sub in the cup.

However in the past few months he has seemingly got over his fitness and injury issues and had a good run in the U21 side.

He could be the surprise package in the Championship and has the ability to shine at that level and rebuild his career.

With two years left on his contract he is worth keeping

Verdict Keep ! Potential transfer value £3 million.

Welington

Came in and did a job, again another one who is probably not up to the Premier League, but could be good in the Championship.

Out of the 6 players in this review I would say that he would be the 2nd in the line of preferred stayers.

Verdict Keep Transfer value £2 million.

Ryan Manning

Was feted as being one of the best left backs in the Championship when he arrived from Swansea two years ago, but never really found his feet, although he was better than some would have you believe.

In the Premier League he actually looked more at home than he did in the Championship, so this is a puzzler, personally I would keep, but if Juan Larios maintains his fitness and stays then I would not expect him to be much more than a squad player.

Verdict Keep ! Potential transfer value £2.5 million.

So we have 6 players reviewed here and I would keep 5 of them, selling just James Bree, although it is likely more than 1 of these will leave, but it is hard to predict just who, we could lose any of the 6 and cope with the other 5.

Ideally we would perhaps see 3 of the 6 leave and get a small fee in and reduce the wage bill.

The only one I think could be crucial in keeping is Charlie Taylor.

The reason for this is that although we are a little top heavy in the full back department, the 5 remaining will give us options and we would struggle to find a better quality player without paying a lot more.

Give your opinions in the comments section below.

All Photos Via Reuters

kingolaf added 09:06 - Jun 5 Would get rid of one of Manning and Larios and sign a first-choice left back. Would keep Bree, sell Sugawara and sign a first choice right back.
-1

Block8 added 09:09 - Jun 5 So you keep 3 left backs and 1 right, that's balance? Bree is a defender, a reasonably good one, although not sure we would get £2M. If we need to lose one, for the sake of balance Manning would go and bring Lewis Payne up from U21 squad. We all know there are players that really need to be gone but none of these are in the desperate to get rid of column!
0

kenis added 09:27 - Jun 5 What about Wellington? Surely he’s our first choice left back for the championship and we’ve only just signed him? Whilst I’d like to see more of Charlie Taylor and see if he can play on left of a back three as well as left back or left wing back something is up there and so presumably he’ll go if there is anyone interested on a free to get wages cleared. Feels like it’s Manning and Wellington with Larios out on loan to Spain or a surprise package if Manning moves on.

1

SaintNick added 10:16 - Jun 5 As I have said in the article, individually all 6 could cope in the Championship, it is hard to prioritise just who should leave and who should go, hence I have said keep 5, however ideally we would perhaps see 3 0r 4 leave.
0

Monksway added 10:43 - Jun 5 Keep Sugawara and Bree. We should have more of the ball in an attacking sense so Sugawara might do better. Personally, I think it's Welington or Larios and Taylor or Manning for LB with two going. Keep Welington and Manning, Larios on loan to get full fitness and Taylor sold.
1

Colburn added 11:09 - Jun 5 It really also depends on who is available and interested in joining us, who is also better than what we have left. I like Welington and Latinos, both for me have the potential to play at the top level in the varied systems that Still has used. His left back or wing back before scored goals, so I would sell Manning as he struggles to play left wing back, ok as a left back but no idea how to attack. I would keep Taylor as well as he can play left side of a 3 or deputise as he did against Arsenal at CB. So Manning is the only one for me to go. I would also keep Bree, he has a good delivery and has also played well in the Prem at times in odd systems, I like him and his versatility. I would keep Sugawara if there’s nobody better to bring in but happy to see him go for 5-8 million as he isn’t lightning quick as we may prefer for a wing back. I think we only need to buy one right back if we sell Suga and nobody new needed in the left.

2

Saints76ER added 13:37 - Jun 5 Was Sugawara bought as replacement for KWP last year? Sell Manning to Rangers. Keep Bree/ Wellington/Larios /Taylor - I would keep Sugawara but suspect he will be sold for £5m. What quality at FB in the academy? - I thought Lewis Payne had been released?
0

saintmark1976 added 13:47 - Jun 5 An article which exemplifies all that is wrong with Sports Republic’s recruitment. Six very average players to choose from and not a stand out player anywhere to be seen. Proven by the fact that everyone has a different opinion as to who to keep. Why don’t they buy quality rather than quantity for a change ? Result if they did, better performance on the pitch and overall a reduced wages bill.

-2

Bowlercow added 14:28 - Jun 5 Sell Manning Keep Sugawara and Bree Bree also cover f/b Keep Larios and Wellington Larios also covers m/f Keep Taylor as an experienced CB As many players as possible should be versatile enough to cover at least 2 positions so that if we get injuries during a game players can adapt
1

davenbennett added 14:32 - Jun 5 Watched Larios for U21s. Was disappointed. Can't beat a man. Tidy player, not a bad crosser. Very small, and If I was opposition, would put 6ft wi ger V him on crosses. Don't doubt would be good in Championship, but it's that inability to go past players that swings him to a sell.
1

davenbennett added 14:50 - Jun 5 Another factor is wages. Sugawa £40k, Taylor £30k, Manning, Welington and Larios £15K, Bree £10k pw. KWP was only on £20k, half of Sugawara's pay! So, I would look at selling Sugawa, Manning and Larios and save £70k pw. Raise £9.5m, based on figures about. Use that to buy ONE £10m player, and pay £35k pw. Overall, better player and save £35k pw. That would be my strategy for all positions.

1

underweststand added 16:45 - Jun 5 The priority is surely to get out of the Championship ASAP. Both Bree and Taylor had good reputations as "best FB in the Championship " and can be first choice to stay and DAJFU. It was a tough introduction to the Prem. for the younger Sugawara and Welington, but I'd rate them both to take over / cover their respective FB spots at this lower level. Larios is still somewhat of an unknown quantity and has suffered a long injury journey, but has regained fitness with the U21's. A regular starter in the Championship?.. Doubtful and so maybe a loan period away may bring him upto standard. If RM wants to come and get Manning for his new task in SPL ?.. I wouldn't be unhappy, as there are one or two up-and-coming talents in U21's who might get onto the bench.

1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Derby County Polls