Southampton have carved out a name for themselves as being one of the most admired clubs in the Premier League owing to their consistency despite losing out on their key players at the end of every season. What is intriguing is the manner in which the Saints fill the void by plucking some of the blossoming stars available and taking their calibre to a whole new level.
The Saints are placed 10th in the league chart with 33 points from 26 league outings as Claude Puel has steered them commendably to a safe spot. Amongst other positives, their scouting has come to their rescue time and again and they have managed to stay aloof of the relegation dogfight. One of their key players has been their central defender, Virgil van Dijk, who is already linked to a host of top quality European outfits and if we see him leaving St. Mary’s in the summer, we wouldn’t be surprised at all.
Puel is not unfamiliar with the fact that a huge inflow of cash might actually tempt him to strike Van Dijk off his books and he has already started looking for a replacement. Apparently, one of the latest reports have underlined that Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Semedo is on the wish-list of the former Nice manager, with their fellow Premier League heavyweight, Everton, also believed to be monitoring his progress.
Semedo is a modern-day defender whose well-built frame makes his a daunting figure in front of the attackers. The 22-year-old is organised, resilient and has the requisite pace and agility and presses his opponents really well to urge them into committing errors.
Moreover, he often initiates offensive movements for his outfits from the back and is versatile enough to be slotted into the defensive midfield role as well. Despite the age group he falls in, he has immense calmness and control over the ball and no wonder he is so highly rated amongst the football fraternity.
In 18 appearances in Premiera Liga for the Lions so far this campaign, the Portuguese has won 34 tackles with a success rate of 60%, made 54 interceptions, 47 clearances and 4 blocks despite being dropped of late by manager Jorge Jesus due to patchy form, which might be traced to the seemingly inevitable longing to leave Estadio Jose Alvalade at the end of the season.
Southampton have already lost central defender Jose Fonte a couple of months ago to West Ham United, so signing a high-calibre player like Semedo would hold paramount importance in the summer.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
