Southampton vs Manchester City: Three Key Saints Players

Southampton's Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu (C) is booked for this challenge on Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Ferran Torres (R) during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 19, 2020. (Photo by Naomi Baker / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NAOMI BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Southampton’s Danish defender Jannik Vestergaard (L) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Jannik Vestergaard

At the risk of this column becoming repetitive, the Danish defensive maestro was a revelation once more against City. Vestergaard’s extraordinary range of passing seems to improve every game and this match was no exception.

Diagonal ball after diagonal ball was sent towards the willing Kyle Walker-Peters and more often than not, it reached its target with unerring accuracy. What this option means is that Southampton can cause real problems to any opponent, such is the consistency which the Dane can successfully find his pass. City struggled to cope with the constant balls over the top in behind Cancelo.

Vestergaard might not be the quickest defender in history but his tackling is strong and he reads the game well. Bednarek deserves some of the credit for offering a solid partner and the pair look a difficult proposition for any side to break down.