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Southampton: Saints are failing to develop youth in 2017/18

By Erik Franzo

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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Southampton is a club that prides itself on youth development.  Yet, in 2017/18 we are seeing a clear lack of first team chances and progression of future Saints.

Manager Mauricio Pellegrino has come under vast scrutiny this season for his team selection, in-game tactics, and current table position.  Many Saints fans have been calling for his dismissal for over two months.

The most recent display of negativity followed the opening goal against West Brom, a fourth minute header by Ahmed Hegazi.  Reports stating the traveling fans could be heard singing “you’re going to be sacked in the morning.”

Most fans would be in an agreement that Pellegrino has outlasted his welcome.  However, what seems to be entirely overlooked, is the lack of first team chances for future Saints, as well as the progression of budding stars such as Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond.

The argument could be made that the current run of form and place in the table means injecting the side with youth is far too risky.

Although, it does not explain why players like James Ward-Prowse, Jack Stephens, and even Wesley Hoedt began the season on the bench.  This is NOT the Southampton way.

It was by pure circumstance in which the aforementioned centre-back pairing were giving the starting roles.  The sale of Virgil van Dijk and an injury to Maya Yoshida opened the doors of opportunity for Stephens and Hoedt. Thankfully, they each took their chances.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton celebrates scoring his side’s third goal during the match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on February 3, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton celebrates scoring his side’s third goal during the match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on February 3, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

James Ward-Prowse was incredibly frustrated to begin the season, and rightfully so.  The young man has given his heart and soul to this club, and put in his time just to be subbed in or out of the first nine games of the season.  There is no ignoring Pellegrino completely overlooked Ward-Prowse, as after a fantastic five game stretch there are now legitimate talks about a World Cup roster spot.

Compounding this issue is the developmental concerns of Boufal and Redmond.

Many would agree, Boufal is a game-changing talent, but his psychological progression continues to remain dormant.  When frustrated or down a goal, he tries to over-do everything, and holds onto the ball too long.  Playing as a striker off of him must be impossible, because you just never know when the ball is coming off his foot.

His latest escapade on Saturday, an immature mood-swing, after not being allowed to take a free kick against West Brom.  Good news is he was the first to celebrate with Ward-Prowse, and got past issue quickly.

Then you have Nathan Redmond.  Which Saints fans seem to be divided on.  However, he is just 23, and played extremely well for Southampton last season.  Players with the pace and 1v1 ability of Redmond should only improve, but he has lost all confidence under Pellegrino.  Sitting on the bench or being left out of a squad entirely (which includes Dusan Tadic regularly) since the new year.

Related Story: West Brom 2-3 Saints: Three match takeaways:

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Josh Sims of Southampton in action during the UEFA Europa League Group K match between Southampton FC and Hapoel Be’er-Sheva FC at St Mary’s Stadium on December 8, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Josh Sims of Southampton in action during the UEFA Europa League Group K match between Southampton FC and Hapoel Be’er-Sheva FC at St Mary’s Stadium on December 8, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Josh Sims and Sam McQueen who were just breaking into the first team under Claude Puel have been a completed afterthought.  Yes, Sims was injured to start the year, but why not give him an opportunity in a side struggling to score?

Many fans are calling for Jake Hesketh’s inclusion as a #10.  A position Southampton is in dire need to fill.  Although he continues to solely feature with the U23’s.

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Outside of the clear development of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, which one could argue is purely character based, and the debut of 17-year-old Michael Obefemi, what has Pellegrino done to support the youth?

This is his biggest failure as a manager to date, and should be addressed by the Saints youth technical development team immediately.

One of the reasons fans are drawn to Southampton is because of their consistent application and development of new talent.  In some ways, it is exciting to see the next great Liverpool player.

However, in 2017-18, the ability and guile to give young players a chance to grow through first team opportunities has dwindled away.  Mired in a relegation battle, with a manager afraid to take chances, means the next great young Southampton player will have to patiently await their turn in August 2018.