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Southampton: Youngsters to watch for the 2019/20 campaign

By Edward Waugh

ALTACH, AUSTRIA - JULY 14: Yan Valery of Southampton controls the ball during the friendly match between SCR Altach and FC Southampton at Cashpoint Arena on July 14, 2019 in Altach, Austria. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
ALTACH, AUSTRIA - JULY 14: Yan Valery of Southampton controls the ball during the friendly match between SCR Altach and FC Southampton at Cashpoint Arena on July 14, 2019 in Altach, Austria. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images) /
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Alexandre Jankewitz of Switzerland during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship match between Switzerland and England at The New York Stadium on May 10, 2018 in Rotherham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Alexandre Jankewitz of Switzerland during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship match between Switzerland and England at The New York Stadium on May 10, 2018 in Rotherham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /

The Swiss-youngster recently signed his first professional contract with Southampton, and having gone on the pre-season outing to Macao under the stewardship of Ralph Hasenhuttl; it’s clear that Jankewitz has real potential.

What is more impressive is that the player is still at the tender age of only 17, the youngest player out of the three that we have selected and though it could be argued that he might not be physically or mentally ready to tackle first-team football at Southampton; due to his talents alone, he is an obvious wildcard choice.

Saints thought off serious competition from some elite European clubs to sign the midfielder for £1.62M from Swiss-based club Servette FC last summer, and was instantly considered to have potential to be a world-class player; strides to this could be made this campaign.

His versatility to play all across the centre of the park, and in particular in defensive midfield could become handy to Hasenhuttl, especially given the current situation with Mario Lemina, the sale of Jordy Clasie and uncertainty over whether Harrison Reed will be on the south-coast at the end of the transfer window for development purposes.

Given the chance to train with the first team, and study under the likes of Ralph Hasenhuttl and captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could prove to be pivotal for the 17-year-old Jankewitz; though if used could feature as a cup game player to help break down the game load for the mentioned Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu, especially in such a system that requires for the squad to press and that is high intensity.