£4.7 million Ex-Saints star tipped to make Southampton return
- Southampton's defence has conceded three second-half goals in the previous two comeback defeats.
- Experienced £4.7 million defender Cedric Soares is tipped to make Southampton return.
By Aakash Desai
Recently, the injuries to right-back Yukinari Sugawara and defensive midfielder Will Smallbone after the Leicester City match has been a significant blow for Southampton. Moreover, Russell Martin's side have conceded three goals in five different Premier League matches already this season, which suggests the need for a few lineup changes in the Southampton defence.
Captain Jack Stephens has missed four league fixtures for Southampton due to his red-card and thus, is struggling to find some good form. Promising defenders Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood and Juan Larios are yet to play in the Premier League this season, therefore, would get less playing time throughout the season. Thus, Southampton should consider signing an experienced Premier League defender on a short-term contract in the January transfer window to form a reliable defence for the second half of the season.
£4.7 million Ex-Saints star tipped to make Southampton return
Moreover, the Saints could sign a familiar player as well, with Ex-Southampton star fullback Cedric Soares currently available on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal at the end of the previous season. Soares arrived at the St. Mary's Stadium in a £4.7 million transfer move from Sporting in 2015 and spent five years at the club.
Playing for Southampton, Soares made 138 appearances for the Saints across all competitions and registered fourteen goal contributions as well. Moreover, the 33-year-old's versatility as a right-back as well as a right midfielder provided more tactical flexibility to former manager Ronald Koeman, who guided Southampton to play the UEFA Europa League in consecutive seasons.
Despite being a third choice right-back after Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the previous two seasons at Arsenal, Soares still possesses a good recovery pace and a tenacious tackling ability. The UEFA Euro 2016 winner is well familiar with the athleticism and impressive decision-making required in the Premier League and, thus, can be a good second-choice right-back after Sugawara.
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On top of that, Soares contributes in the build up play as well which will help Cameron Archer and Tyler Dibling to find more space inside the final third while going forward. Hence, Soares can be a brilliant all-round squad player for Southampton, and it remains to be seen whether the Saints decide to sign him on a free transfer in the January transfer window.
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