Saints Marching roundtable: Dream deadline day signings

Jasper Shiner – Kurt Zouma

I think that collectively Ross Wilson, Les Reed and Mark Hughes have what went wrong last season and have made several moves to correct many of those things.

Goalkeeper was one of the problem areas for much of the season until Alex McCarthy displaced Fraser Forster towards the end of the campaign. The Signing of Angus Gunn is a real coup, he is young and will no doubt lots McCarthy as Saints long term no.1 keeper, but in the meantime will provide good competition in between the sticks.

Last year Southampton were defensively weak against the long ball and very susceptible do conceding from crosses. The signing of Jannik Vestergaard adds height and strength to a backline which has had a severe lack of that since the departure of Virgil Van Dijk.

The arrival of Mohammed Elyounoussi following Dusan Tadic’s exit to Ajax is arguably the most exciting summer signing. He is a player with great potential and individual ability. Hughes will be looking to him and fellow new recruit Stuart Armstrong to replace the creativity of Tadic in the final third but bring more in terms of goal threat.

In my opinion Southampton have already addressed the most concerning areas, however after recent pre-season fixtures i am worried that the back three look very one paced and weak against balls into the channel between the wing back and outer centre halves.

The Saints forward options remain a concern as they have for several seasons, the question of wether Southampton have enough quality in the striker department remains? Charlie Austin will score goals if he stays fit, and thats a big if.

While in my opinion  Manolo Gabbiadini is better utilised as a false 9 or support striker; and Shane Long, well, is Shane Long. However i do believe that arrival of Elyounoussi and Armstrong will add goals from midfield and i am fully expecting a better return from Nathan Redmond this season.

My dream deadline day singing would therefore be Kurt Zouma. Saints need an athletic centre half and the frenchman has an existing relationship with Hughes and his coaching staff. He is on the books at Chelsea who have a strong contingent and excess of central defenders since Maurizio Sarri has shifted from the 3-4-3 formation deployed under Antonio Conte to a conventional 4-3-3.

The 6’3” frenchman offers more than Saints existing back options in terms of raw athleticism. Still only 23 years of age he fits the Southampton transfer model, he still has room to improve, in turn increasing in transfer value. Since signing for Chelsea from Saint-Etienne Zouma has made 47 league appearances struggling to hold down a regular first XI place.

On loan at Stoke City last season the powerful defender was one of the few bright sparks in a rather dismal campaign for the Potters. Having recently been stripped of his squad number and his future at the Blues now in doubt, could a cut price move be on the cards… a season long loan with option to buy could suit both parties, especially considering Hughes recent remarks about Saints inability to sign players before letting others leave.