Southampton: Saints player power rankings ahead of season restart

Southampton restart their Premier League season on Friday when they travel to Carrow Road to face relegation-threatened Norwich City.

It has been a strange campaign so far for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side that has seen real dips in form and notable high points along the way.

They sit in 14th place and have 34 points from their 29 games so far – a position sums up their inconsistency up until the Coronavirus suspension.

The mixed fortune has also transferred to the Saints squad, with some players thriving currently and some finding things hard.

Here are our power rankings for the current group of players who have played some part in the 2019/20 season up to now:

Alongside Ralph Hasenhuttl, he is a god at St Mary’s currently. His goals will still be vital between now and the end of the season and he deserves a haul of over 20 for the campaign he has had.

Has emerged as the perfect partner for Ings at the moment and has impressed his manager so much that he was handed a new two-year contract recently.

Very popular with the Saints fans and weighs in with important goals too. Scored two well-taken strikes in the practice match with Bristol City on Friday.

Looks to be the next serious talent off of the Staplewood conveyor belt. This is only his breakthrough year, but a new four-year deal hints that he could play more between now and the end of the 2019/20 season.

Some really bright moments in his Saints career so far and he will hope to contribute more in the final nine games.

As we all have seen, a completely changed player under Ralph Hasenhuttl. A new contract is being negotiated (via reports) and the England man was interestingly handed the captain’s armband over Hojbjerg on Friday.

Has worked his way back into the team and performed well this year. An underrated aspect of his game is his ability to play direct but accurate passes from defence and into dangerous areas.

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Has still had a decent enough season but has perhaps been overshadowed by some of his teammates’ showings. A vital part of the team going forward.

Safely Saints’ number one at the moment and coming off the back of a superb performance in the last league outing against Newcastle.

This season has been another big step in his development and he will want to chip in with goals between now and late July.

A player whose potential is somewhat underrated at the moment. For that reason he has gone under the radar again this season, but could become a vital presence in the coming years.

Someone who is hard to work out for those outside the club. His influence inside is emphasised by Saints wanting him to sign a new deal at the age of 30 though.

Another talented youngster in the thoughts of Hasenhuttl. Has not had the same immediate impact as Smallbone but will be given the time he needs to transition into the senior game at his own pace.

Boufal and Saints would have wanted a bigger impact as the Moroccan returned from a spell out on loan. Still capable of sparking a game into life, but does not do that nearly enough.

Just one appearances so far and it appears that Saints will not be signing him permanently. However, put in some strong showings in the last nine games and he could start to really rebuild his career.

His first season with Saints has been disappointing from a goalscoring perspective but he has still worked hard for the team when he has started games.

Reportedly offered a new contract by the club along with Ward-Prowse and Bertrand but will have to work hard to get back into the team regularly.

One of the Saints players who really suffered in a dreadful run of form earlier in the campaign that ended with the 9-0 defeat to Leicester. Next season is a more realistic target for him coming back into some form.

A battle with illness has limited his involvement in 2019/20 and he will have to impress to start games over Kyle Walker-Peters.

Does not look ready for Premier League football at the moment. He is still very young and possesses the physical attributes to develop into a solid defender, but it looks unlikely that Saints will sign him permanently.

As one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history, he really hasn’t lived up to expectations as of yet and looks to be way down the pecking order.

The reaction to him wanting to leave and running down his contract has not been as toxic as for some other players, but it seems that Saints fans just want to see him move on as quickly as possible if he isn’t going to sign a new deal.