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Five left-backs to replace Southampton’s outgoing Ryan Bertrand

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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SANTO ANDRE, BRAZIL – JUNE 13: Erik Durm talks to the media during the German National team press conference at Campo Bahia on June 13, 2014 in Santo Andre, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
SANTO ANDRE, BRAZIL – JUNE 13: Erik Durm talks to the media during the German National team press conference at Campo Bahia on June 13, 2014 in Santo Andre, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /

Erik Durm

With it looking more-and-more likely that Claude Puel will be sacked, rumours have intensified that Germans Thomas Tuchel and Roger Schmidt could be on Southampton’s watchlist to replace him.

Should either replace Puel it’d be natural to suggest that they may recruit from their native country, and therefore Erik Durm seems a great candidate to replace Bertrand.

With Marcel Schmelzer and Raphael Guerreiro being preferred ahead of the German international the versatile full-back has struggled to feature, making just 14 appearances in all competitions last season.

At 25 Durm may be considering leaving Dortmund in order to get first-team football, and with a German in charge of the Saints they become a very realistic destination for him.

Whilst he might not be as quick as the others on this list his great versatility would make him a valuable addition, with him having played in midfield and at right-back previously.