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2016/17 Southampton season review: Ryan Bertrand

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton and his family take part in a lap of appreciation after the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton and his family take part in a lap of appreciation after the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Bertrand continued to be a stellar member of Southampton’s first team this season, making nearly 40 appearances in all.

With Claude Puel naturally preferring his narrow diamond formation, arguably Southampton’s best positions this season have been each side of the centre-backs, with Cedric also enjoying a brilliant campaign.

On the left Ryan Bertrand continued his solid run as one of the league’s most consistent full-backs, making 28 league appearances in total with only some time on the injury table preventing further starts.

At 27 Bertrand is now in the prime of his career and that showed at Southampton, with the Englishman showing his mature head having seen a lot of his teammates leave over the past three years since he moved to Hamsphire.

Over the course of the season he recorded just three yellow cards showing his discipline as part of a solid Southampton back line. Despite having a lot of the attacking responsibility on his shoulders, he’s remained one of the league’s top defensive full-backs.

As a result Bertrand has been strongly linked with a move back to his former employers Chelsea. The English international rarely featured at the Bridge after being loaned out several times, but did historically start in the 2012 Champions League final for the Blues.

The fee discussed is north of £20 million, with the most recent reports suggesting a bid of £25 million would be enough to sign him.

Next: Thomas Tuchel to replace Claude Puel at Southampton?

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 26: Ryan Bertrand of England takes a corner kick during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between England and Lithuania at Wembley Stadium on March 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 26: Ryan Bertrand of England takes a corner kick during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between England and Lithuania at Wembley Stadium on March 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton – The FA/The FA via Getty Images) /

Attacking numbers

Bertrand recorded four assists in total in the league, only one less than Dusan Tadic who set-up the most for the Saints. The majority of these came in the second half of the season, with assists against Swansea in January, Sunderland in February and Spurs in March.

He also added a further three goals in all competitions, scoring a solid effort against Bournemouth, as well as against Chelsea in the league and Arsenal in the cup.

His passing percentage for the season was better than Ward-Prowse’s and Tadic’s, despite attempting more long passes per game, which are naturally less accurate. He’s also averaging over one key pass each and every week, something which rivals a lot of Southampton’s top attackers.

My verdict

Alongside the aforementioned Cedric, Bertrand has been one of the few players to shine under Puel’s reign, with his attacking style suiting the Frenchman’s tactics. I think we’ll face a tough task to keep him this summer, with his home-grown status making him even more desirable.

His direct involvement in six league goals is better than would be expected for a full-back, whilst his discipline at the back has also been great in my eyes. I’m going to go as far as giving him a nine.

Ryan Bertrand: 9/10