Russell Martin has the unenviable task of managing a large Southampton squad whilst simultaneously trying to keep the club in the Premier League.
So far Southampton are yet to register a point from their four league fixtures this season, with the St Mary’s clash against Ipswich Town on Saturday huge for both teams.
Russell Martin saw 14 first-team players signed this summer, but Southampton struggled to offload a number of players who do not appear to have much of a future at the club.
This has seen Martin left with an overinflated squad, with the likes of Paul Onuachu, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Armel Bella-Kotchap all expected to have been moved on in the summer.
All three will now remain at the club until at least January, with no club matching Southampton’s valuation of Onuachu and Sulemana and Bella-Kotchap both seeing moves collapse.
Armel Bella-Kotchap left out of Southampton squad against Everton
Sulemana is currently injured, whilst Onuachu is unlikely to be brought back into the fold given he does not fit Martin’s style.
However, there was a hope that the Saints boss may extend an olive brach to Bella-Kotchap with the 22-year-old arguably the best centre-back at the club.
The Carabao Cup tie against Everton on Tuesday night looked the perfect opportunity to bring Bella-Kotchap back into the fold but he was snubbed by Martin who did not even name him on the bench.
- READ MORE: Southampton trio face uncertain future at St Mary’s as Russell Martin explains Everton absence
Bella-Kotchap responds to Russell Martin snub
The German international looked to have secured a £12.8 million move to Hoffenheim late in the summer but a deal collapsed as the Bundesliga club were concerned with an issue picked up during the defender’s medical.
Martin brought Bella-Kotchap off the bench against Cardiff City in the second round of the Carabao Cup shortly after to prove he was fit to any potential suitors but it was to no avail.
Now, Bella-Kotchap has broken his silence on the failed summer exit and latest snub by Martin, posting an Instagram story of him training with the message: “The last few weeks have been turbulent and unpredictable, but I’m 100% fit – physically and mentally.
“I’m just waiting for my chance, and I’ll lead with my performance on the field when the time is ready.
“P.S Don’t believe everything in the media.”
The last line is an intriguing one and it is up for debate what this is in reference to, although it may be the reported heart issue identified by Hoffenheim that Martin played down.
Saints fans will be pleased to see Bella-Kotchap add the hashtag “Come on Saints”, with many feeling a return to the side could help fix the side’s leaky defence.