Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton need to break their wage structure this summer, or be left behind

By Conor Dunford

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Fraser Forster of Southampton is seen during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Southampton at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Fraser Forster of Southampton is seen during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Southampton at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Southampton have exceeded expectation by finishing in the top 8 of the Premier League yet again. For the third consecutive year they sit just below the Premier League elite.

This is despite the wage bill being among the lowest in the league. If Southampton are to break through this glass ceiling they have hit, that needs to change.

Southampton can be proud of the way the club is run. It is a model that is seemingly admired all over the world. Buying young, unproven talent on low wages and propelling them to the big time. All whilst making a tidy profit on the side. This has also helped the team rocket from League 1 to Europa League football in 6 years.

Losing key players to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. Whilst losing managers to Tottenham and Everton, Southampton have managed to maintain their success by finishing in the top half for 3 consecutive years. Although progress in Europe was stopped a little earlier than anticipated, the ambition remains to gate crash the top 6.

This ambition will only realistically be met if Southampton stop becoming a ‘selling club’. Which is exactly what they are at the moment. Players will look to come to Southampton to boost their career in England, moving on to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Southampton’s only real means of stopping players leaving is to play hard ball with players, and pay them the wages they deserve.

Keeping players

Southampton’s highest earner at the club, is reportedly Fraser Forster, earning a sweet 90k a week. In previous years you may say this was earned, an England international who keeps 10+ clean sheets every season.

This season Forster has not performed at his best, not only that, but others have far outperformed him. Oriol Romeu has had a fantastic season, VVD as classy as we’ve ever known him in defence. Both these players have attracted serious interest from elsewhere. Currently at a club that seems to be on an upward trajectory, why would they leave? Money. Money is why they would leave.

A footballers career is fairly short, they look to earn as much money as possible in that time to look after themselves and their families once they retire. So you can understand why some players feel the need to move on.

Players also move on from Southampton to play alongside better players and ultimately win trophies. Theo Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain have moved on to win 3 FA Cups. Bale has gone on, via Spurs, to win the La Liga and the Champions League.

Wages, how do they compare?

As previously mentioned, Southampton’s highest earner is Fraser Forster on 90k a week. Seemingly a colossal amount of money, other Premier League teams are paying certain players northwards of that.

Below are some of the Premier Leagues high earners at other clubs; (reported wages)

  • Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)  – 120k per week
  • Alvaro Negredo (Middlesborough) – 100k per week
  • Troy Deeney (Watford) – 100k per week
  • Jamie Vardy (Leicester) – 100k per week
  • Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) – 100k per week
WATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 01: A dejected Troy Deeney of Watford applauds the home fans following their team’s 1-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Watford and Liverpool at Vicarage Road on May 1, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 01: A dejected Troy Deeney of Watford applauds the home fans following their team’s 1-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Watford and Liverpool at Vicarage Road on May 1, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Three of the four clubs mentioned above have consistently finished below Southampton in the Premier League, one was even relegated this season. Leicester’s stint at the top proved to be a one-season wonder for them. All these players by some means, merit their wages due to the importance they are to their respective club. So why do Southampton not reward in the same way?

Virgil Van Dijk, arguably the best central defender in the Premier League, is on a reported 60k per week. Ryan Bertrand, one of the leagues finest left backs, is thought to earn around 45k per week. Both these players would feel they could move on to a team that has more chance of winning trophies, whilst also earning double, maybe triple what they currently earn. To most, an easy choice to make.

Next: Season review: Nathan Redmond

Southampton need to change, soon

Southampton need to break this ‘wage structure’ they claim to have at the club. Keeping the best players at the club, proving to the players they are valued. Proving to the fans that the club has lofty ambitions.

The 16/17 season proved to be a strange one for Southampton, finishing 8th and not playing well at all. The club and fans alike should consider themselves very lucky to finish in that position. This summer is key to recruit, to improve the squad and ensure the key players do not leave.

A single bad season in the Premier League can have detrimental effects on the club for years after, losing players and managers, inconsistency unsettling the staff and fans. If Southampton stagnate, clubs like West Ham, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth will soon overtake them.

The clubs staff have worked hard to get the club to where it is, they cannot undo all that hard work now. It is up to the Southampton board to start paying like the big boys if they want to start playing with the big boys. If not, they will get left behind.