Team Focus: The Centre-backs Saints Should be Targetting to Strengthen
The biggest blow to Southampton’s summer came in the form of Toby Alderweireld, or at least the hole he has left in their defence. The Belgian spent last season on loan at the south coast club, who were understandably keen to secure his services permanently but missed out on his signature after he moved to Premier League rivals Tottenham. His decision hurt Saints, who were then dealt a further bombshell with Florin Gardos sidelined until February with a knee injury.
With less than two weeks to go until the start of the new season, Saints have only captain Jose Fonte and Maya Yoshida as registered senior centre-backs. Cedric Soares and Cuco Martina may have joined from Sporting Lisbon and FC Twente respectively but both were primarily brought in to cover Nathaniel Clyne’s departure, with the latter unlikely to be a regular feature in the Saints backline. Unsurprisingly, the club have been linked with a host of defenders in a bid to swell the ranks before the Premier League returns, the latest of which is Hull City’s James Chester.
Despite the Tigers’ relegation, Chester could still be considered a sturdy performer at the back. The Wales international gained a WhoScored rating of 7.03 last season, the fourth best of all Hull players. A shoulder injury restricted the 26-year-old to just 23 league starts and it’s reasonable to suggest Steve Bruce’s side would have had a much better chance of staving off relegation had he been fit for the entire season. Nevertheless, Hull’s inability to retain their Premier League status has seen the vultures circle around the KC Stadium and for good reason.
Chester averaged a commendable 2.4 tackles per league game last season - accentuating his WhoScored strength of ‘tackling’ - while an average of 2.3 interceptions per game highlights his impressive reading of play. Saints’ style of play of ‘possession football’ means Chester would be well suited to matching Ronald Koeman’s approach. His ability to pre-emptively stop danger would help Saints instigate swift attacks, utilising the creative personnel at Koeman’s disposal.
However, if Saints are looking to snare a defender whose reading of the game is one of their strongest assets, they could do far worse than the highly-rated Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman, like Chester, has been strongly linked with a move to St. Mary’s on the back of another impressive campaign for Celtic, with many believing it’s a case of when, not if, he moves to the Premier League. At the time of writing, a move to Saints appears logical. At 24 years of age Van Dijk is only going to improve, yet despite his relative youthfulness, he boasts ample Champions League experience.
The defender has made 14 appearances in Europe’s elite competition over the last two seasons and it’s this experience that would aid Saints as they begin their European campaign this coming week. Koeman’s side face Vitesse on Thursday with a place in this season’s Europa League at stake and Van Dijk would surely improve their chances of not only qualifying, but progressing further in the competition.
His average of 3.4 interceptions per Champions League game last season was better than any Saints player in the Premier League and, as with Chester, this reading of the game not only limits opposing sides in the final third, but helps instigate attacks from the back. A relatively modest 0.6 tackles per game is an indicator that the Dutchman doesn't look to rush into tackles but with Fonte averaging a respectable 2.1 tackles per match last term; the duo have the potential to find the right balance at the back to form a strong partnership at the heart of the Saints defence.
Of course, with the influx of TV money, Saints, like every other Premier League team, have cash to burn. If they wish to really strengthen at the back, throwing money at Marseille to try and convince them to part ways with Nicolas N’Koulou may be wise. The departures of key trio Andre-Pierre Gignac, Andre Ayew and Dimitri Payet could imply a lack of ambition from Marcelo Bielsa’s side, in turn convincing the Cameroon international that his future lies elsewhere.
A WhoScored rating of 7.59 was also a hugely respectable figure for N’Koulou, whose pass success rate (90.8%) ranked among the top 10 players in Ligue 1 last season. This would certainly match Koeman’s requirements in possessing a ball playing defender who can bring out the best in those around him. Meanwhile, his versatility would surely help cover for the loss of Alderweireld, with N’Koulou harbouring the ability to play in midfield. Of course, Marseille would be loathe to losing the Cameroon international as L’OM gear up for their return to European competition, but the 25-year-old’s capture would be a real statement of intent by Saints.
Remaining in Ligue 1 and another centre-back who may be available is Saint-Etienne’s Loic Perrin. The experienced centre-back has long been linked with a move to England, with Arsenal credited with an interest in the past, and for good reason. His WhoScored rating (7.59) was enough to secure a spot in the Ligue 1 team of the season, with an 84.3% pass success rate a commendable return from the 29-year-old.
It’s his strength in the air, however, that has won him the adulation of his peers. Over the last two Ligue 1 seasons, Perrin has made more headed clearances (438) than any other player. His average of 9.1 clearances per game was bettered only by Sebastian Squillaci (9.5) in France’s top tier last term. The Frenchman has the positional nous to be in the right place at the right time to relieve pressure on his goal.
Saints may not be able to attract top quality defenders in the ilk of Nicolas Otamendi or Sergio Ramos, but the aforementioned quartet would all be astute pick ups in their own right. Saints must spend in the transfer market to solidify a defence that was one of the strongest in the Premier League last season. Signing one of the four centre-backs mooted would certainly boost their chances of replicating last term's exploits in the upcoming campaign.
Given their lack of centre-back options, who do you think Southampton should sign to strengthen at the back this summer? Let us know in the comments below
