Where Southampton need to strengthen their squad this offseason

After a somewhat unexpectedly successful 2014-15 season Southampton cannot afford to let themselves become complacent. Manager Ronald Koeman must now look to add further strength and depth to their squad in order to maintain their competitiveness.

The Saints’ defence was crucial to their strong campaign and ended up conceding a mere 33 goals across the 38 games. Between the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama, James Ward-Prowse, Steven Davis and Harrison Reed, the central-midfield seemed fairly well covered, in wider areas a lack of depth was apparent though.

Sadio Mané and Dusan Tadić were a strong starting duo but there was a distinct absence of any players capable of covering the wings as effectively in the rest of the squad. Shane Long registered some good performances out wide but it was also left to players such as Ward-Prowse and Davis to cover when they seemed to be far more effective when utilised in the centre of the park.

Ronald Koeman tried to strengthen the area in the mid-season transfer window loaning in Eljero Elia from Werder Bremen, but the Dutchman failed to offer much in his time scoring just two goals in 16 appearances and delivering patchy performances at best.

An obvious absentee from the squad this season who could have provided another option out wide was fan favourite Jay Rodríguez. Before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the backend of the 2013-14 season, Rodríguez was primarily used as a left winger where he excelled throughout the campaign, finishing with a 15 goal tally.

Even with the hopeful return of Rodríguez for the 2015-16 term, the Saints would still need to look for at least one other wide midfielder to add sufficient depth to the squad. With Koeman looking unlikely to exercise the buy option in Elia’s loan deal, he must set his sights on other targets capable of at least covering in the case of injury or poor performance amongst his first choice players.

The other key weakness of the Southampton squad was its lack of options in the centre-forward position. Graziano Pellè had a respectable season, notching up 12 goals in the 38 games he played, but it took the Italian until midway through April to register his first goal for 2015. Of those 12, just four came in the 19 matches he played in 2015, a dip in form that would have left none surprised had he been dropped from the Saints’ starting XI.

Pellè was not dropped, however, continuing as Koeman’s first choice for the entirety of the season and it would seem that this was due to the Dutch manager having no other players to play the No. 9 role. Long has filled the position at times as a solo striker, but does not really have the height or strength to fit into Southampton’s crossing game, Emmanuel Mayuka is another that does not really fit the mold and was injured the majority of the season regardless.

[interaction id=”557fb6c9aeabca144b01841f”]

Again Rodríguez was one that could lead the attacking line, though probably more effective out wide, but of course was not an option for Koeman. Finally, Sam Gallagher seems the only one that in height, strength and style of play would be a viable option to replace Pellè, but despite a commendable job in the 2013-14 season it would seem that the 19-year-old is a ways off being a Premier League player. Gallagher’s chances this year were not helped by a lack of game time with the Under-21s due to injury.

With Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne the two fullbacks, the Southampton side is always going to be one that delivers a lot of crosses, making the 6’4, 84 kilogram frame of Pellè a perfect target. The club’s playing style focuses in the scope of potential signings to add some depth and competition to the starting striker position but it is clear that relying solely on the Italian striker could be a dangerous, and ultimately costly, gamble.