Southampton fans are expecting their club to bring in some quality additions this month.
Speaking to reporters following his side’s impressive 3-0 win over Leicester City yesterday, Saints boss Claude Puel discussed his options in central defence, following the sale of Jose Fonte to West Ham United, as quoted by BT Sport.
Southampton have been on a poor run of late, but their victory yesterday put an end to a run of four consecutive defeats in the Premier League, and they now sit in 11th position in the table.
With Fonte’s departure now confirmed though, many Saints fans and pundits have called upon Puel to make a top-class addition his defensive ranks this month.
Southampton manager Claude Puel
And the Frenchman discussed the possibility of signing a new centre-back with reporters, explaining that he currently has very strong options already available to him at St Mary’s, as quoted by BT Sport:
“We will see if we just have Jack (Stephens) and Florin (Gardos) or you might see another player. It’s a strong defence: a strong central defence, with technical quality and with good quality in the duels. Sometimes because of injury or a player with a red card it’s important to consider if it’s enough with Jack and Florin to give a solution. It’s other quality than Jose, but I’m happy with the situation and with Yoshida and Van Dijk.”
Southampton manager Claude Puel
With a history of selling their best players for extortionate transfer fees, now is the time for Southampton to really prove their intentions, if they genuinely want to progress as a football club.
There are so many things to admire about how the south coast club operates, but they will be in danger of stagnation, or worse, regression, if they do not add genuine quality to the squad, to replace they players they have lost over the course of the past three years.
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