Wow, what a window. Credit to Spors and the team for addressing pretty much every area we needed too. Still really has the type of player profile that he wants to work with now.
Difficult to know for sure, but seems like out of our main targets Spertsyan was the only one we really missed out on?
Another thing I noticed... August 29: Fernandes sold for £42m August 29: Azaz signs for £15m August 29: Jander signs for £12m August 29: Fellows signs for £10m September 1: Scienza signs for £8m Total spend post-Fernandes: £45m Really good forward planning from Spors and Lederer *deal values include add-ons/bonuses
Be interested to see what our net spend for the window was as I wouldn't be surprised to see a small number there either but right now have no idea on it. Otherwise we've improved the squad and given it a better balance so now it's on WS to get it firing.
This is one of the reasons it is okay to sell big talents. But you have to spend the money and you have to pay the going rate. In the past we got stuck in a ‘bargains’ mentality. This time it feels like we have paid good money for true quality.
Maybe we should only whisper it, just in case, but maybe there was actually a plan this time. Spors said wait until the end of the window before you judge him and the new recruitment team. So now we can start judging, beginning with a statement big win over portsmouth.
According to Transfermarkt, Southampton received £110.4 million in transfer fees, and spent £48.5 million on incomings.
Interesting quote from Spertsyan yesterday when asked about his future... “All championships are good. I want to play in the Champions League and European Cups. Southampton is a good and strong team, but many factors have to coincide. In the winter, anything is possible.”
He is a special player and if we are top of the league in January… should at least give it another shot.
Where would he fit? Isn’t his best position Azaz’s one? And if we are top then presumably Azaz will be firing? I believe he can play across the front 3 which will allow for rotation? I wonder if we will go back for that young Italian defensive midfielder in January. Looks promising and half a season of guaranteed starts will help him develop more. The issue their seems to be his club get a replacement I sort of hope we do because it would mean we are identifying targets and sticking to them. Same with going back for Spertsyan in January or more likely if we manage to go up On a separate note - I wonder what would happen if Ramsdale doesn’t get into the Newcastle starting line up regularly by January. Big loan fee presumably means we can’t cancel it
I wonder what numbers our new players will take. I was wondering if the idea was to wait for Smallbone and Aribo to go so that 7 and 8 were free.
Scienza wore 8 at Heidenheim so I reckon he might have his eye on that one, unless they’re giving it to Jander already
Just had a look at what other squad numbers (up to 30) are currently available after all of the departures… 8 13 14 16 18 20 21 22 28 29 30
