Saints Marching
Fansided

Four contenders to replace Virgil van Dijk as Southampton’s team captain

By Conor Dunford

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Oriol Romeu (C) of Southampton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Oriol Romeu (C) of Southampton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Oriol Romeu of Southampton (L) and Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane on March 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Oriol Romeu of Southampton (L) and Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane on March 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /

Oriol Romeu

Romeu has immediately been touted as many as the perfect replacement for VVD as the teams captain. His qualities are there for all to see, he is committed, passionate and leads by example.

The Spaniard enjoyed a stellar season in 16/17, winning awards for both Fan’s player and Player’s Player of the Year at Southampton. His displays on the pitch often caused the usually dull atmosphere at St Mary’s to ascend into ecstasy with a crunching challenge or a show of pure strength.

Missing very little time over the season and clearly winning the respect of his colleagues and fans alike, a natural next step for Romeu would be to take the captains armband and prove his capabilities as a leader to the fans and himself.

Although, as previously mentioned, the captaincy at Southampton’s has been a poisoned chalice in recent times and if Romeu was to enjoy another season like last, surely the ”bigger clubs’ would come calling for him next year. Something to think about when appointing the next captain of the team.