Southampton

Players

One glaring feature of Southampton’s squad is that very few key players are out of contract this summer or even next year. That leaves the players and club stuck with each other unless there is mutual agreement that a departure is for the best. Depending on each case, that could be both advantageous and deeply problematic. The expectation is that some of the more saleable players would depart, notably Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu, Cedric, Nathan Redmond and perhaps James Ward-Prowse.

Southampton should still have the squad strength in depth that would allow them to mount a strong Championship challenge but the danger is of being weighed down with a well-paid but unmotivated core of players who are impossible to move on.

Manager

Mark Hughes was only given a contract until the end of the season and, while an extension would be encouraged if they could stay up, he is yet to win in five matches against Premier League opposition. A parting of the ways appears highly likely in the event of relegation and that will place huge scrutiny on the club’s recruitment process. Claude Puel and Mauricio Pellegrino each lasted no more than a season and so fans are asking where executive director Les Reed should have the power to pick another man.