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Southampton: Let’s stop with the links to Stoke City players

By Chris Hughes

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on January 15, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on January 15, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Ever since Southampton appointed Mark Hughes as Mauricio Pellegrino’s replacement, the Saints have been linked with signing some of Stoke City’s players.

The thing is, is that these links are nothing short of lazy journalism by the tabloids which have published them. Granted, there is a chance he could stay on, but these rumours of summer dealings have emerged despite the fact that Hughes is only contracted to the Saints until the end of the campaign.

Granted, these are natural links for many reasons – first and foremost being that Mark Hughes managed the Potters for nearly five years, meaning much of the current first team will have been brought in during his tenure.

In addition, Stoke are odds-on to go down this season having struggled for regular form – they have sat 19th above West Bromwich Albion for much of the campaign. Despite their league position however, they possess a quality roster featuring some pacey attackers and creative midfielders.

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COVENTRY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Coventry City and Stoke City at Ricoh Arena on January 6, 2018 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
COVENTRY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Coventry City and Stoke City at Ricoh Arena on January 6, 2018 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /

Granted, if Southampton didn’t already have a plethora of midfielders then Joe Allen would be a decent addition, and assuming he can hit consistent form the majority of the Saints fanbase would almost certainly welcome Xherdan Shaqiri with open arms. But that’s far from the point.

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Whilst Hughes has admitted he’s open to potentially staying beyond the end of the season, it’s far from a certainty that the Welshman will remain in charge for the 2018/19 campaign.

Despite already being a fan-favourite thanks to his status a former player with the Saints, Hughes sits way out from the normal model of Southampton manager in previous years. Whilst the club might be taking a turn after two sour appointments, Hughes is still a long way away from what the club normally look for in a manager.

At the end of the day the journalists who have written and printed these links have been nothing short of lazy – this isn’t a personal attack but considering Hughes may not even be here come July it seems profoundly stupid to link the Saints with two of Stoke’s top assets.

Furthermore even if Hughes remains in charge, it begs the question whether the board would sign players from their manager’s former side. The board backed Pellegrino’s desire to sign Guido Carrillo and two months later the 26-year-old is yet to score a goal for the club. This could put the board off going with a manager’s choice next time around.

All in all, these links to both Allen and Shaqiri have only come to light because Hughes has taken charge. We need to stop with these rumours.