Russell Martin wants two stars at Southampton including ‘brilliant’ 29-year-old

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Russell Martin will attempt to reunite with Swansea City duo Matty Grimes and Jay Fulton once he is finally confirmed as Southampton’s new manager. 

For the Saints, going from Ralph Hasenhuttl to Russell Martin is almost akin to a following up a midnight rave with a morning of folk music. As far as their footballing principles are concerned, Hasenhuttl and Martin are night and day. Chalk and cheese. High-pressing and high tempo, for patience and possession.  

According to The Athletic, Southampton are planning to move away from the perspiration and the fury of the Hasenhuttl era. Towards a more proactive, cultured approach. Martin guided Swansea to within three points of the play-offs last term despite being forced to contend with plenty of off-field distractions, but it remains to be seen if the 37-year-old can successfully adapt to a squad built with an entirely different tactical approach in mind. 

It is perhaps no surprise, then, to learn that Martin is already planning to raid Swansea for two players who, should they arrive at St Mary’s, would be a massive benefit to his hopes of building a a side in his own image. 

Southampton planning Swansea City raid

Grimes and Fulton, both central midfielders, were integral to Martin’s possession-based gameplan in South Wales. The Sun reports that Martin will ‘try’ to sign both players.

Midfield reinforcements will almost certainly be required amid doubts over the futures of James Ward-Prowse, Amad Diallo, Romeo Lavia and Stuart Armstrong. 

Grimes, once of Leeds United and England’s U21s, captained Swansea under Martin. One-time Celtic youngster Fulton, meanwhile, also blossomed into one of the Championship’s finest midfielders alongside a man who could finally be announced as Southampton’s new head coach in the coming days.

“He’s a brilliant professional. A great man and a brilliant character,” Martin said of 29-year-old Fulton in the autumn. 

“He’s turning into the player we thought he was before we came to the club. I’m delighted for him.

“He has such respect from everyone at the club. The players, the young players especially and all the staff. Jay just goes about his business, he’s a brilliant professional. He has real quality. He’s been immense for us and deserves everything.”