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Transfers: 3 Key Moves Southampton Must Make This Week

By Aaron Preston

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: A general view during the Premier League match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary's Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: A general view during the Premier League match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary's Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Eric Bailly of Manchester United in action with Dusan Tadic of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on August 19, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Eric Bailly of Manchester United in action with Dusan Tadic of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on August 19, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /

3. A Strong Attacking Midfielder

With the transition from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 Diamond under Claude Puel, Southampton have had to reclass some of their forward players. Among these is former winger Dusan Tadic, who now sees himself shoehorned into the “tip-of-the-diamond” spot as an attacking mid, feeding balls along the floor to Nathan Redmond and/or Shane Long. Looking at his stats from last season, he should be good for it; a team-leading 12 assists would indicate a player who’s got what it takes to be a creative playmaker. But incisive ground passes through traffic in the box and incisive corners and crosses are two different skill-sets entirely, and it’s far from certain that the Serbian has what it takes to truly excel in the role. While he was good for seven goals last year, Tadic’s shooting has also been called into question and as a “number 10” he’ll need to take more, and better, shots going forward.

Hakim Ziyech of FC Twente (C) during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Feyenoord and FC Twente at stadium Feyenoord De Kuip on august 14, 2016 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Hakim Ziyech of FC Twente (C) during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Feyenoord and FC Twente at stadium Feyenoord De Kuip on august 14, 2016 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

Editor’s Suggestion: Hakim Ziyech

Southampton got their first look at Ziyech, 23, during the club’s preseason friendly against FC Twente. He’s done a job for them, scoring 17 and bagging 12 assists last season through 33 appearances. His work-rate, when you factor in minutes played, works out to a goal every 173 minutes, or roughly one goal per every 2 games played. For an attacking mid, in a midtable Eredivisie club, that’s not a bad return. Football encyclopedia Transfermarkt quotes his value at €11m (£9.5m), well within Southampton’s budget. With host club Twente in hot water financially, Saints’ Board may be able to get a steal in the closing days of the summer window.

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