Watford exposed a weakness in their opponent on the opening weekend of the Championship season, with the Hornets holding on to beat Southampton 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Italian head coach Alesso Dionisi set his side up well, but ultimately the Saints gifted them both goals - through defensive errors on the left side of their team.
With just under two weeks left before the transfer deadline on September 1, Southampton technical director Johannes Spors has a chance to react and replace one of the team’s biggest weak spots.
A weak area in the team
It was Jack Stephens’ wayward ball that spiralled backwards in his own half that gifted Watford the opening goal against Southampton, starting the season off in a calamitous circumstance for Tonda Eckert’s side.
While Cyle Larin scored in the second half, another gifted goal that meant Watford came away with all three points. With the Saints already rooted to the bottom of the table on -4 points, it was hardly a good way to return after pre-season.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis is one of the Championship’s best central defenders, but Jack Stephens has never truly shown any signs of being a worthy partner. A reported transfer could be a sign that Southampton are finally set to move away from the 32-year-old and upgrade.
Saints identify replacement
With the prospect of vice-captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis departing Southampton, alarm bells have understandably sounded at St Mary’s.
Portuguese side Benfica had a £17m+ bid rejected for the England international and are seemingly moving to other options after having an offer worth a similar fee accepted to bring in defender Alessandro Circati.
Reports have suggested Feyenoord defender Anel Ahmedhodžić, formerly of Sheffield United, is a player Southampton are in the ascendancy to sign. Whether a player simply lined up as a replacement for Harwood-Bellis or to play alongside him - this is one the Saints have to get done if they are serious about promotion.
A centre-back pairing of 27-year-old Bosnian Anel Ahmedhodžić and Taylor Harwood-Bellis would arguably be the best in the Championship, and really send a statement of intent. The Saints aren’t alone in their interest, but it would be an attractive proposition to get the former Championship Team of the Season defender in the prime of his career back thriving.
Southampton’s policy this summer has been about replacing players who leave; a deal to bring in Ahmedhodžić could free up German prospect Joshua Quarshie to head out on loan and gain some experience.
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