Southampton have a plethora of high quality central midfielders competing for just two places in Tonda Eckert's starting eleven.
Southampton’s central midfield has quietly undergone one of the most dramatic transformations of the season — and it now feels a world away from that opening home game against Wrexham at St Mary’s.
Back then, Saints looked settled with little compettion for places. Shea Charles and Flynn Downes were the only viable options wth speculation increasing daily about Mateus Fernandes' impending departure. There was little sense that this area of the pitch would soon become Tonda Eckert’s biggest selection headache.
The summer signing who is almost undroppable
Fast forward a few months and the situation has turned on its head completely. The summer signing of Caspar Jander has proven to be an excellent one, and his form has made him almost undroppable.
Week after week, Jander has set the bar high. He is sharp in the press, technically sound in possession, and consistently reliable. When the team sheet is written now, his name is among the first on the list.
That leaves just one place alongside him.
The emergence of Cameron Bragg has turned that single remaining place in Eckert's side into a genuine dilemma. Bragg’s development has caught the eye and earned him a contract extension at St Mary's.
Bragg doesn’t just fit into games; he shapes them. Despite his age, Bragg is calm under pressure, thoughtful and accurate wth his passing, and tactically switched on. He offers a range of passing that Saints simply didn't have earlier in the season. Dropping him, on current evidence would feel harsh, if not counterproductive.
Eckert's dilemma extends beyond Bragg and Downes
But Eckert’s problems don’t stop there. Shea Charles is edging closer to a return from injury, and before his setback away at Blackburn Rovers, he was one of Saints’ most consistent performers. His ability to break up play and support in attacking transitions make him an obvious contender to reclaim a starting role.
But finding space for Charles in the team now is far more complicated than it was in August.
Then there’s Oriol Romeu. The veteran’s return has only added to the congestion. Romeu brings experience, leadership, and a calming presence that few in the squad can match. In tight Championship games, his game management, ball retention and positional discipline could be invaluable.
With Jander locking down one spot, Eckert is left choosing between youth, stability, and experience for the other. Bragg’s rise makes him increasingly hard to leave out. Charles’ return demands serious consideration. Romeu offers control when things get frantic.
Currently Flynn Downes is the man in possession of the shirt and he's not going to give it up lightly. Nor should he. Downes remains one of the most highly rated midfielders in the Championship and only a lengthy illness has prevented him from cementing his place in the team far earlier in the season.
From the lack of midfield options of that Wrexham afternoon to a midfield overflowing with options, Saints have come a long way. The challenge now isn’t fixing midfield problems, it’s deciding which solution to trust, knowing some influential players will be left watching from the sidelines.