Most expected Southampton to struggle with the losses of so many key players in the last offseason, but some quality signings steadied the ship. Which player brought in had the greatest influence on its highest ever Premier League finish this year?
Sadio Mané recorded the fastest ever Premier League hat-trick, Graziano Pellè scored a club best 11 goals and led the line practically the entire season. Ryan Bertrand, too, managed one of the highest number of crosses in the league. But all the players that Koeman brought in on a permanent basis’ (Bertrand was not signed permanently until the midseason transfer window) contributions were outshone by one brought in on loan.
That player was Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgian was loaned in from Spanish club Atletico Madrid in September of last year and was primarily deployed as a central defensive partner for club captain José Fonte but had stints at right-back as well as defensive midfield later on in the season. Making his first appearance in round four against Newcastle United at St Mary’s, the defender was a regular in Ronald Koeman’s squad, making 26 starts for the club, missing a total of nine, mostly due to a hamstring injury midway through the season.
This season’s Saints side conceded just 33 goals over the 38 Premier League games for the second best defensive record in the league, only behind league leaders Chelsea who conceded 32. The South Coast side conceded at a rate of 0.86 goals a game – with Alderweireld on the pitch, that number drops a little to 0.84 per game. The side’s goalscoring stats were also boosted, going from 1.42 goals per game for the season to 1.69 in Alderweireld’s 26 appearances.
At 186cm tall and 81kg, Alderweireld is a solid defensive unit who demonstrated strength, aerial ability, tackling prowess, and an ability to partner well with Fonte at the heart of Southampton’s defence. Playing in midfield showed his talent on the ball, his passing range and ability to read the game, but most importantly, it showed his versatility on the park – being able to play in midfield, right full-back or centre-half comfortably.
At 26 years of age and not having had a slew of injuries, he has many years of football ahead of him and would appear a wise investment for a club with growing ambition and reputation. In his spell with the Saints, he has built his reputation in the eyes of the fans and staying at the club and playing good football will only see that reputation continue to grow. Furthermore, if training ground reports are anything to go by, he has a fairly good rapport with the coaching staff and his teammates and is a thorough professional.
Rumours from when the player first arrived at the club indicated that the loan had a buy option for around £7 million at season’s end but reports now indicate that, for a fee, that clause can be removed by Atletico should a better offer come along.
Alderweireld indicated earlier in the year that he would be keen to make his Premier League stay permanent and said that he is happy at St. Mary’s. He did admit, however, that it is ultimately up to his parent club to decide his future.
Being a regular feature in Koeman’s squad, it seems as though Southampton is hoping to keep the player and is reportedly in negotiations with the Madrid club. Tottenham and Chelsea have allegedly shown interest, as well as murmurs surfacing that Alderweireld is part of Diego Simeone’s plans for next season.
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