I'd like to think we can keep them all, or that the first player to go would be Osvaldo. But realistically, I think someone will leave. I'd be disappointed if it were Lallana. And I feel like he's in the England squad and he's the captain and is well-loved here and well-respected most everywhere else. He's not missing out on anything. His profile is high and he's modeling for FCUK so the endorsement money is coming in. Champion's League would be nice, but it would be so much nicer to do it with us. Why not wait at least another year and see how it goes? I think he can be convinced to stay, and the 25% sell-on clause will put some resolve into the board if they lack a bit. Shaw I wouldn't be averse to selling just because if we are really getting 30m for him, it might be in our strategic best interests. We could take a minor hit at LB if we strengthen at CB or elsewhere and that money could be the funds we need to really make a difference. Would hate to see him go, and he doesn't seem to be agitating for a move, so happy if we keep him as well. But if someone has to go, maybe it's him. Lambert I would love to have end his career here and go on to become a coach. But he's put in his time here, and he doesn't have much time less. If the summer goes as well as we hope, we'll have another striker in and his playing time would be a bit limited. Don't think he's champing to go, nor is the money we'd get enough to really force a sale. But if someone puts in a 8m bid or something, that might be a good move for both sides and he can still come back here when he hangs up his boots. Lovren seems fairly happy here, and I don't think it's a bad move for him to stay. One more big year to establish his reputation in the Premier League would up his wage and our price tremendously. Clyne may want to go as he is battling with Chambers, but because of that the big clubs may not be that interested. Another guy who I think is better off staying one more year and seeing how things shake out. If we can keep most of our players, he probably gets a better look at the England squad here than anywhere else as Hodgson comes to so many of our games due to the number of prospects we have. He's not going to impress the England manager on the bench at Liverpool. But Hodgson has to stay England manager, which is why I'm hoping England do well at WC. I voted for Schneiderlin because unlike the rest, he's actually made some overtures about wanting to go. And he's in a tough spot as it's tough for him to break into France's squad on our team. I hope he stays, but I can see most of all for him why he may have to leave and I wouldn't begrudge him if the money is good. But I think his big hope is Arsenal and they seem a bit lukewarm. If they don't make an offer, we might be safe. Being realistic, I think it's very likely we lose at least one of those players. But I'm still optimistic we can limit it to just one and with the right moves, we can still end up improving the team.
I would like to think that no one would leave, but couldn't vote for that as probably not true. If we could sell Shaw for big money (reinvested) and keep everyone else it would be a decent summer. I think that with MP leaving, the board need to be very tough with players. They should tell Adam that he is needed here and can't go (even if they verbally tell him to try again next season). I'd like them to do the same to Shaw, but he has a high price and it may suit to give the new manager a war chest. Teams lose players all the time to buy others...not necessarily a disaster. I definitely think that no one should be allowed to go to Spurs on principal, but that involves bloody mindedness and Mr Bloody-Minded has gone.
I wonder about MP and the dinner with Adam? My feel is Adam is already mind made up if Liverpool cough up the cash.
That may have just to say goodbye to a player he was close to...hope Adam spat in his drink when he went to the loo.
I really don't think Liverpool will go high enough. They can get similar quality abroad for less, and let's face it, that probably isn't their priority position to strengthen.
Just listed all our young players on Sky, then pointed out that Spurs only played one youngster last season. Doubt MP will get much chance to bring anyone through in a team that wants instant success...perhaps they don't even have any.
I really enjoyed MPs style with us and willingness to continue our philosophy of bringing the youngsters through, but I need to point out to all the media that this is the philosophy of SOUTHAMPTON FC, not just because of Pochettino. I think they need reminding that Lallana was not a youngster brought on by MP, JWP debuted away to Man City aged 17, on our first Premier League game for 7 years the season before, Shaw debuted aged 17 the previous season and played four months before MP turned up. Yes, He really gave Chambers his breakthrough and also Sam Gallagher, but he wasn't the reason they broke through, that was down to our Club.
