Southampton sit 19th in the Premier League at the World Cup break and now have Nathan Jones in charge. But Gavin Bazunu has impressed to top our mid-season Power Rankings.
The St Mary’s hierarchy sacked Ralph Hasenhuttl on November 7 after almost four years in charge. Saints chiefs felt a change was needed after taking just 12 points across 14 Premier League games. The Austrian vacated the helm with Southampton sat 18th in the standings.
- EXCLUSIVE: BOURNEMOUTH’S GREENWOOD ON ENGLAND’S WILSON AT THE WORLD CUP
- EXCLUSIVE: BEN GREENWOOD ON O’NEIL, PARKER AND KEEPING CANTWELL AT THE CLUB
First-team coach Ruben Selles took over on an interim basis for Southampton’s EFL Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday. After a 1-1 draw, the Saints sealed a fourth-round clash against Lincoln City 6-5 on penalties. Jones then agreed to join on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Jones could not help Southampton end their run of one win in 10 Premier League games in his maiden fixture. Roberto Firmino broke the deadlock before Darwin Nunez hit a brace in response to Che Adams’ equaliser to hand Liverpool a 3-1 win and leave the Saints in 19th.
Southampton will return to top-flight action at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Boxing Day as the division resumes following the World Cup. Jones will hope to use the five-week break to implement his style at St Mary’s and help a few of his new players find their form.
So, as Jones gets to work with the Saints two points from safety, HITC Football has taken a look at how the Southampton squad has performed with our mid-season Power Rankings…
1. Gavin Bazunu: Southampton’s summer signing tops our Power Rankings
Jones will be glad Hasenhuttl signed Bazunu for £12m, rising to £15m after add-ons, from Manchester City this June. The goalkeeper may have conceded 27 goals and only kept one clean sheet. But the 20-year-old has often made some excellent saves and been very busy.
He could also do very little about some of the efforts the Republic of Ireland international has allowed. While some of Bazunu’s saves kept the Saints within reach of their opponent after losing five games by one goal. He will be the foundation of what Jones can now build.
2. Mohammed Salisu: The Ghana star deserves second in our Power Rankings
Hasenhuttl dropped Mohammed Salisu for the visit of Everton to Southampton on October 1. But the Austrian quickly restored the 23-year-old to the Saints’ line-up with the Ghana star often man-marking some of the Premier League’s best forwards and bossing his duels.
3. Che Adams: Southampton’s top-scorer sits third in our Power Rankings
Adams sits in third for our Power Rankings at the World Cup break as Southampton’s top-scorer with four goals. The 26-year-old has scored twice as many as any of his teammates so far this season. But his wasted chances proved costly for Hasenhuttl before his sacking.
4. Armel Bella-Kotchap: The German earned his call-up for the World Cup
Southampton signed Armel Bella-Kotchap from VfL Bochum in June for £10m and have not looked back. The defender has often dealt with his duties admirably and made Germany’s team for the World Cup. His importance was clear against Crystal Palace while out injured.
5. Duje Caleta-Car: A bit lucky at times, but he can be important for Jones
Duje Caleta-Car has been a bit lucky at times since he joined Southampton on deadline day from Marseille for £12-15m. The Croatian has shown he can be important for Jones with a physical and aggressive style. Yet referees have sometimes let him get away with his fouls.
6. Romain Perraud: A slow start to his season is starting to pay off
Romain Perraud endured a slow start to his season with just 210 minutes in seven games before the September internationals. But he has enjoyed 642 minutes over their last eight. The Frenchman has also scored twice and assisted a goal to offer a threat on the left flank.
7. Joe Aribo: A promising start faded away as Hasenhuttl’s tenure ended
Joe Aribo joined Southampton from Rangers for up to £10m in July. But after his promising start, the midfielder ended the first half of the season having started 10 of his 15 Premier League games. He last scored on October 1, too, and often struggled to influence matches.
8. James Ward-Prowse: Jones will want more from Southampton’s skipper
Jones will want to see more from Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse, who ranks in just eighth in our Power Rankings. The midfielder missed out on a spot in England’s World Cup squad after cheaply turning over possession and being bypassed in the Saints’ line-up.
9. Mohamed Elyounoussi: The Norwegian could explode at any moment
Mohamed Elyounoussi’s season could explode at any moment with the Norwegian often threatening to cause problems. But through his 14 Premier League games, starting 12, he has just one assist and no goals. He has particularly lacked an end product in recent weeks.
10. Adam Armstrong: One goal and one assist is simply not enough
Adam Armstrong is one of just four Southampton players to have scored (1) and assisted (1) a goal this season. But the £15m forward’s output is simply not enough after starting 11 of his 14 top-flight outings. His hard running does not outweigh his vast lack of clear chances.