Nathan Jones has always had an affinity with full-backs. But even those who watched on in awe as the now-Southampton boss turned Luton Town into Championship play-off chasers may have been taken aback by the way Lyanco has been transformed into a rampaging right-back under the Welshman at St Mary’s.
The Brazilian appeared to be on his way out of Southampton the other side Christmas. That was before he set up Sekou Mara’s goal during the stunning EFL Cup triumph over Manchester City, however, while marking Wilfried Zaha out of the game against Crystal Palace, producing some of his finest Saints displays in a hitherto-unfamiliar role.
Lyanco, of course, was never likely to be a long-term solution on the flank. The former Torino colossus will slide back into the middle once Tino Livramento returns from months on the sidelines.
And, with Jones hoping to add more natural cover on the right-hand side, The Athletic reports that Southampton are closing in on a deal for one of the EFL’s finest full-backs; taking advantage of James Bree’s expiring contract to snap up the Luton Town ace for a bargain £750,000.
Nathan Jones’ Southampton are closing in on James Bree of Luton Town
Bree, like fellow full-backs Jack Stacey, James Justin and Dan Potts, took his game to a whole new level under Jones at Kenilworth Road.
“He’s on the same level if not above where Jack Stacey was (when he moved to the Premier League with Bournemouth),” Jones told the BBC of Bree in December 2021; the one-time Aston Villa youngster showcasing his set-piece prowess with a wonderful assist in a 1-1 draw with Fulham
“(Bree’s assist) was world-class. We ask him to do that, we don’t just ask him to dink stuff in and be passive. We ask to really go gung-ho with his delivery. When it comes off, it’s a worldy ball and we score from it.”
Of course, Bree is unlikely to nail down set-piece duties at Southampton. Jones already has arguably the Premier League’s best dead ball specialist at his disposal in James Ward-Prowse. Bree’s delivery from open play is just as threatening, however; his tally of four assists so far in 2022/23 double that of any of the players currently at Jones’ disposal at St Mary’s.
“He’s a top right back. We’re very, very fortunate to have him,” added Jones, describing Bree as a player of ‘Premier League quality’ (Luton Today).
“(Signing him) is a credit to our recruitment in what we do. We’ve got some real good players at this football club, considering the budget we’ve got.”
With Southampton closing in, and with Luton landing a replacement in Leeds United’s Cody Drameh, Bree will soon have the opportunity to prove Jones right, that he does indeed have the potential to thrive amongst England’s elite.
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