As always when approaching the summer break, there is plenty of speculation about out-of-contract players’ futures and that is exactly the case for Southampton.
Although they don’t need to release their retained list as soon as other clubs in the league due to their participation in the Championship play-offs, there are still plenty of rumours about their out-of-contract players.
Manager Russell Martin doesn’t however want that to get in the way of anything on the pitch, with a very important second leg of their play-off semi-final against West Bromwich Albion coming up on Friday night.
The Saints would be held to a 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns, which in the grand scheme of things is a rather decent result with the second leg being at home. They’re probably the happier of the two teams and will be the favourites to gain a spot in the final.
A better showing is expected in front of the home fans on Friday night and bar forcing opposition ‘keeper Alex Palmer into one or two very strong saves, didn’t create a whole load of opportunities.
It will go down as a disappointment if the Saints were not to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and they would’ve been targeting automatic promotion at the start of the season. If they’re in the second tier next season then there could be quite a turnover in the squad.
Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong, who have both been in fine form this season, as well as goalkeeper Alex McCarthy are all out of contract this summer. The latter has been heavily linked with a move away in the last week, with Premier League sides monitoring the situation.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin emphasised that he is waiting until the end of the season to discuss the futures of his players and highlighted Alex McCarthy’s importance over the last few weeks.
“It’s just (been about) letting Alex (McCarthy) focus on his football. It’s been about letting him perform. He’s been fantastic, he’s been so good since he came into the team.
“He brings a real calm and influence, (he’s) been great with his feet and with his hands. He was massive on Sunday, we’re going to need that again for sure.
“For now the focus for everyone, Che (Adams), Alex, Stu (Armstrong), is about getting the club promoted. That has to be the aim and then whenever the season finishes, hopefully not for another 10 days or so, we will all sit down.
“There’s been conversations throughout the year. Everyone is really clear. There has not been a silence about the situation.
“There isn’t going to be a surprise or anything. I think a lot will depend on what happens and the players know that.
“It’s to everyone’s benefit to win this game tomorrow night and do everything they possibly can to do that. We will cross the bridge about contracts when the season ends.”
Writer’s View
It’s a sensible choice by Martin to not give too much away, but then again it seems as all three players’ futures depends on whether the club gain promotion or not. They’re potentially now just 180 minutes away from an immediate return to the Premier League, and that’s what Martin’s sole focus will be currently.
After watching Leeds United hammer Norwich City in the other semi-final second leg, Southampton can gain some confidence knowing that a home crowd will help their chances.
They do however have to perform on the day, and it’s set to be a huge night for the future of the club as a loss could incur quite a turnover in both the squad as well as the management.
