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Southampton: Why Saints must keep Fulham’s transfer ‘Targett’

By Edward Waugh

KUNSHAN, CHINA - JULY 05: Benjamin Goller of Schalke FC competes for the ball against Matthew Targett of Southampton FC during the 2018 Clubs Super Cup match between Schalke and Southampton at Kunshan Sports Center Stadium on July 5, 2018 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Provinceon, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
KUNSHAN, CHINA - JULY 05: Benjamin Goller of Schalke FC competes for the ball against Matthew Targett of Southampton FC during the 2018 Clubs Super Cup match between Schalke and Southampton at Kunshan Sports Center Stadium on July 5, 2018 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Provinceon, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /
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The left sided full-back returns to Saints after a very successful loan spell with ‘The Lilywhites’, having aided in their run to promotion back to the top-flight and on the way, attracting interest from the new Premier League side on a permanent transfer basis.

The London side have reportedly offered Southampton a fee in excess of around £12-15 million to try sway them in letting Targett, a academy product of the club and an Eastleigh-born player, part ways – though this is only testament to how impressive the defender has been since the turn of the year and his attitude in pushing himself onto the big stage that is the Premier League.

This due to him being written off by most as ‘not good enough’, and going back to last summer or January would’ve potentially been thought as surplus to requirements by some fans given the lack of first-team football that the academy product saw – hence his eventual loan to Fulham.

Targett would go onto feature for the Cottagers 21 times (20 starts, one sub), scoring a goal, assisting two and winning ‘Man of the Match’ on four separate occasions (stats via whoscored.com) – in a run with the club that saw them pile a late challenge for the automatic spots, eventually having to settle for the play-offs and successfully winning the final against Aston Villa.

So what now for 22-year-old, on his return to Southampton? Despite the south- oast club’s great record of introducing young talent into the starting XI, and therefore helping them learn their trade through experience, it is unlikely that the 2016 Toulon Tournament winner will be guaranteed a starting spot in his favoured position.

Next. Southampton 3-2 Celta Vigo: Pre-season recap. dark

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 26: Matt Targett of Fulham, Cyrus Christie of Fulham, and Ryan Fredericks of Fulham celebrate with the trophy following their sides victory in the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final between Aston Villa and Fulham at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 26: Matt Targett of Fulham, Cyrus Christie of Fulham, and Ryan Fredericks of Fulham celebrate with the trophy following their sides victory in the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final between Aston Villa and Fulham at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

This due to club captain and fellow left-back Ryan Bertrand being an integral part of the side, and therefore to dislodge him Targett would have to replicate his stats from his Championship stint, but in a division higher to stake a real claim – though could be used somewhat effectively at right-back/right-wing-back due to uncertainty around Cedric Soares’ future at the club and Yan Valery’s lack of real experience.

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The local lad showed his capabilities playing this role against Celta Vigo this past week, given a 45 minute opportunity to show his game, the youngster impressed many having a hand in two goals, assisting Charlie Austin via a cross and Stuart Armstrong with an outstanding through ball that many playmakers would be proud of – and therefore has given Mark Hughes plenty to think about before Saints’ Premier League opener against Burnley.

From this, it is clear to see why Southampton must keep ahold of Targett, keep playing at this level to help create healthy competition for places as well as having a great back-up option say if the mentioned Bertrand or Soares were to pick up an injury – and still being at the tender age of 22, would suggest that the former England U21 player will only improve and get better.

The club has seen many stars progress through their ranks, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian and Adam Lallana join some of Europe’s elite, and though it’s a big comparison to make, we could see the former-Fulham loanee progress into an important figure on the south coast, that given he keeps improving at the rate he has been.

Therefore, for all these reasons, selling Targett would be bad business, having been raised with the club along with the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Josh Sims, Jack Stephens and Harrison Reed, it is vital to keep a nucleus within the squad of players that understand the logistics of Southampton and it’s fans.

Despite being offered a high figure of £12-15 million, and potentially more for a back-up option could indeed be tempting – but due to his homegrown status, ties with the local area and great potential ability can not warrant this figure as acceptable. From this, losing him to Fulham would go against everything that the club stands for, and with all due respect, feel like a kick in the teeth.