Southampton’s transfer business so far would suggest there is no way back for a player that Ralph Hasenhuttl once described as a ‘monster’.
Manager Russell Martin has not had any time to rest on his laurels following Southampton‘s Championship play-off final triumph over Leeds United at the end of May.
That 1-0 win secured a return to the Premier League at the first attempt for the Saints and now the club are working hard behind the scenes to ensure their squad is ready to compete at the top level.
Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor have both signed as free agents, but the other three players brought in so far this summer are all centre-backs in the shape of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood.
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The obvious targeting of central defensive reinforcements could be significant for a player who spent last season out on loan.
Southampton summer business means no way back for Armel Bella-Kotchap
That player is Armel Bella-Kotchap, who Southampton signed from VfL Bochum for £8.6 million in summer 2022.
The centre-back made 24 Premier League appearances in the 2022/23 season in which the Saints finished bottom of the table and struggled with injuries after impressing enough to earn a Germany call-up at the beginning of the campaign.
Deeming himself too good to play in the Championship and with a home Euros this summer, Bella-Kotchap sought a move last summer and went on loan to PSV.
The Dutch side won the Eredivisie, but Bella-Kotchap again struggled with injuries as he made just two league starts.
With his injury troubles at just 22, it may be difficult for Southampton to sell the defender for a fee they feel is worth it, so there was a school of thought that Bella-Kotchap could potentially be reintegrated into Martin’s squad this summer.
However, the fact Southampton have seen fit to sign three centre-backs – as well as Taylor who can also play the position – to add to Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens, means it looks very unlikely Martin is planning for Bella-Kotchap’s return.
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Bella-Kotchap labelled a ‘monster’ by Ralph Hasenhuttl
As alluded to, when Bella-Kotchap first arrived at St Mary’s it looked as though then-manager Ralph Hasenhuttl had got himself a bargain.
Fast, strong, good in the air and able to stride out of defence with the ball, Bella-Kotchap immediately looked a player destined for the top.
Hasenhuttl himself told Bild not long after his sacking that Bella-Kotchap was a “one-on-one monster.”
The Austrian went on to add: “Very strong in one-on-one situations and he’s very fast. You can defend well with him. He plays good passes into the final third, even over longer distances.”
At 22, Bella-Kotchap still has plenty of time to fulfil his obvious potential, but that does not look as though it will be at Southampton.