Arron Sanders ponders the question that Southampton FC should concentrate on trimming the size of the squad and the wage bill, before they think of adding to it,

Southampton have had a positive start to their summer, with a first signing and new first team manager already secured ahead of the new season, however with an exceedingly large squad on the books attention has to now switch to sales and reducing the wage bill at St Mary’s.

All three managers across last season, had the issue of having to work with a squad size bigger than they would have liked to have had in the building on top of those who were sent out on loan that are due to return for pre season training at the end of the month just conducting a training session could be made more awkward for new boss Will Still.

Tentative links away from the media, for the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Tyler Dibling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have yet to materialise into any meaningful in terms of a bid for the players and with a week of the first part of the transfer window already passed by, a slight concern about the ability to offload players this summer is food for thought.

Johannes Spors and his newly formed recruitment team, will be tested more in securing exits for players that financially benefit the club and helps bring the squad size back down to a more manageable level whilst retaining a level in quality good enough to fight for promotion at the first time of asking.

Fringe players like Paul Onuachu, Charlie Taylor, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Ryan Fraser are highly unlikely to be in the mix for next season and are the types of player who Spors’ team should be looking to move on to get our squad size down.

Who do you think we should be looking to move on this summer? Do you agree that we need to reduce the size of the squad and focus on sales? I want to know your thoughts in the comments below.

All Photos Via Reuters

underweststand added 08:33 - Jun 10 I don't think a "switch from buying to selling" is quite the right phrase in this instance. There are half-a dozen well-paid players who will surely leave in the next month, and move to pastures new. KWP has gone already, and (if the press is to be believed) the likes of; Ramsdale, THB, Sugawara, Onuachu, Aribo, Fernandes, Bednarek and ABK are all likely to go and that removes half of the first team squad, and still (?'s) about Adam Armstrong, and BBD, not to mention the "Dibling Saga" may also finally play out its final part. Many of those departures will lighten the debt-burden of high-end salaries to make way, which means at least 5 or 6 experienced /capable "top quality" men to bring in, if we are to make a serious promotion challenge in our first season down in the Championship. We will get Edozie, Edwards and Shea Charles back from loans, (unless they also depart) but I still see the need for some big names signings - even if they come on free transfers. I think most of those named will disappear (one way or another) and so the inevitable need to buy in "fresh blood" is equally important - if not more so.

1

PatfromPoole added 08:40 - Jun 10 Why would Charlie Taylor and Ryan Fraser be "highly unlikely to be in the mix for next season"???? Strange comment.
3

Monksway added 09:16 - Jun 10 It's certainly going to be a very difficult summer. Whilst accepting a few players will leave and will have suitors - Ramsdale, THB, Fernandes, Dibling - a lot won't, having played well below their current wages and original transfer fees. These older players will be difficult to shift and we may end up selling our youngsters with potential, to make up the financial shortfall - Charles, Edozie, Edwards. Last time it was Lavia, Livramento, Tella who went. This time Leeds are reportedly interested in Charles not Downes or Aribo.

3

kenis added 15:30 - Jun 10 Feels inevitable we'll be selling players right up to deadline day end of the summer leaving us with big dilemmas over replacements, do we get in early before the cash from sales comes in to keep the fees down and be able to deal up to the 12th hour OR do we wait until the squad is down to a reasonable size and then move to a one in one out approach? As said on article last week - can see us not signing a single new player, selling a load and still having both a strong and large squad. If we assume by loan or sale Ramsdale definitely goes, the only position we actually need to sign someone is goalkeeper as McCarthy and Bazunu cant be assumed to always be fit and available. I'd have kept Lumley but if he wants to get / compete for a first team place somewhere then good luck to him.

0

onetowatch added 16:22 - Jun 10 I can't help but agree with a post above - why on earth would we sell Charlie Taylor?
1

underweststand added 16:45 - Jun 10 Aaron Ramsdale ..? why should we have to SELL him, when he has a contract till 2029 ?There are a dozen clubs who would want to loan him, and perhaps carry his salary. IF he succeeds elsewhere in the Prem. they would want to buy him and we could name our price, and if not we'd still have an excellent keeper on the books for several years ahead.
1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Derby County Polls