Southampton 2018/19 Season Player Review: Jannik Vestergaard

Southampton attempted to try and plug a gap in their defence last summer with the £22m signing of Jannik Vestergaard.

He arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach with a reputation of being hugely tall but perhaps a little slow because of that.

However, the reason why he in particular was brought in was clear.

At 6ft 5in, the Danish international was dominant in the air and could provide an aerial presence that was much needed.

Saints had struggled in 2017/18, with Wesley Hoedt and Jack Stephens coming in for criticism for seemingly being found out when facing taller forwards.

26 appearances came for Vestergaard during the last campaign but it certainly took him a while to adjust to his new surroundings.

He played the duration of six of the first seven Premier League games under Mark Hughes but was then left out for the next six.

The change of manager and the arrival of Ralph Hasenhuttl soon returned him to being a regular again, but he was to face his biggest test after the Austrian’s first game in charge away at Cardiff.

It was the 26-year-old’s mistake that led to the Bluebirds’ winner in that match and it would take some significant mental strength to be able to lift his performances for upcoming games.

However, he picked himself up and became a key figure in a back three that produced some much-needed solidity towards the end of the campaign.

Injuries disrupted his ability to play a part in the full run-in but he will continue to be a trusted player for Hasenhuttl next season.

After learning his trade in the different footballing world of the Bundesliga in Germany, he has fully adapted to the style that was needed in Saints’ 5-4-1 system.

However, whether he can be a first-choice centre-back if Hasenhuttl plays with a back-four in 2018/19 remains to be seen.

He lacks pace against some attackers but makes up for that in some instances with superios positioning and defensive instinct.

Vestergaard’s key PL stats (according to whoscored.com):

Appearances: 23

Successful Tackles: 53

Interceptions: 35

Clearances: 171

Aerial Duels won: 85

Blocks: 38