We are experiencing the building of a solid squad that on paper looks capable of delivering a good season of football for us. It has often been said that Southampton had a club model that we should follow and I have up until now felt that it was the way to go. This weekend has seen yet more talk of Southampton cashing in on a successful season. Highest place finish for years, England call ups and football that was a joy at times to watch even when it was us that they beat. The exodus is now getting out of hand and who knows when it will roll to a halt. If the Allam family are watching the production of returns of £170m for a season in the PL with TV rights money and player sales, could we see the same happen here. I know that we do not have the Academy players coming through like Southampton, but we have bought players who look likely to improve. So should we prepare ourselves for a great season followed by a great sell off?
Other than Davies and Chester, I dont think we've got a single player we'd make a profit on. So a great sell-off seems rather pointless.
I think you could add McGregor and Huddlestone to that list, but other than that, you're right, we're in absolutely no position to cash in, overall our squad probably cost more than it's worth.
It's a very good job for a new manager o come I to as he actually gets to build his own squad from the word go. The big problem is that every club int he world sees all this cash you're getting and raise their prices to you, so it may prove difficult getting things over the line with enough numbers and quality to replace what's lost. The lambert deal was horrible for you IMO. A very good player and £4m isn't close to enough to fill his place in the team, regardless of age. Good of you not to stand in his way though.
It's a fair point, I think people are writing off Southampton far too early, there'll obviously be replacements coming in. Though if you end up with a team anywhere near as good as last seasons, it will be a minor miracle.
Plus they are going to have to gel almost a complete team together. I can see it being a tough campaign, Pochettino is still linked with a couple of Saints players he'd like for Spurs. It will be interesting to see how this takes shape. In terms of the Southampton way, if we could get a conveyor belt for developing young players like they have, then that has to be an excellent starting point. Bale, Walcott, Chambers, Shaw, Lallana. All academy products.
As BCC and OLM have said we won't end up like them because almost all of our players if they were sold would be sold at a loss - there are maybe only 5 players who we could get any sort of profit on - and only Chester would make really good % increases.
No. Not a chance in hell. The big big mistake that Southampton have made is selling before they buy. Daniel LEVY/Spurs last summer played it spot on. Get in your players you want BEFORE you sell your prized asset(ie.Gareth Bale). IMO, Saints are being stripped of the top talent prior to the owner selling on a PL club that is debt free with a good youth set up. Time will tell of course.
And it continues... Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews We understand Southampton Calum Chambers could become an Arsenal player today - more transfer news NEXT on #SSN
Who then? I didnt miss anyone off, I just dont think anyone else would leave for a profit. OLM suggested a couple but I cant see anyone paying more than £1.5m for McGregor or £5m for THudd.
Southampton's academy is the envy of clubs much bigger than ours, it would take decades and many millions for us to get even close to what Southampton has built. Its up there with Man U as the best in the country, whilst we should aspire to something like that its very unlikely we'll ever get there.
Well they'd have to match our valuation of them. Do you think the club rate Huddlestone as a £5m player? I think we'd probably make a profit on Boyd, Aluko and Elmo as well.
Greegsy, Rosie (free), Chezzy, Davies, Brady, Thudd, Aluko (free) We'd profit on all of those, not saying it would be huge money but more than we paid
