Southampton may have to be cut-throat with a player that Russell Martin is a big fan of this summer.
Having returned for pre-season at the start of July, Southampton stepped up their preparations for the Premier League with their first friendly of the summer against National League side Eastleigh on Friday night.
Russell Martin would have been satisfied with his side’s showing as they won 7-1 on a night in which a number of the club’s new signings were in action.
The likes of Charlie Taylor, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood and Yukinari Sugawara all got their first outing in a Southampton shirt, whilst last season’s loanees Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes featured having now signed permanently.
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One player who was not present against Eastleigh was Jan Bednarek, and Southampton could have a big decision to make on the Poland defender this summer.
Russell Martin an admirer of Southampton defender Jan Bednarek
Bednarek did not feature against Eastleigh as he was given an extended summer break due to representing Poland at Euro 2024.
He has since linked up with the squad and was on the flight to Spain where the Saints will spend the next week and play friendlies against French clubs Bordeaux and Montpellier.
Bednarek was a key player under Martin last season and was ever-reliable at the heart of the defence, enjoying a career revival at the club for whom his time looked up after a loan move to Aston Villa in summer 2022.
Martin confirmed as much in an interview after Bedanrek reached the 200 game mark for the club in February before expressing how highly he rates the 28-year-old, saying:
“When I first came in and had a really good chat with Janny, I’m pretty sure we both thought his future was going to be elsewhere, and then very quickly I took a look at him athletically, the courage he has on the ball, the mentality in training every day, he does every sprint, every action like it’s going to be his last one.
“I really love working with him. He wants to learn, is demanding of his teammates and himself and of us in a really good way.
“He assesses things so well on the pitch, he looks at how the opposition are pressing, finds solutions.
“Honestly the courage he shows on the ball, I know all the guys do at the back, but he’s been amazing, been immense for us, and in my opinion one of the best players in the league this season for what he does and what he brings and he’s growing all the time, I think he’s improving all the time and I think he’s been immense for us and I’m really pleased for him today that he could do that.”
Southampton could have big decision to make on Bednarek this summer
The problem, though, is that Bednarek has now entered the final year of his current contract.
Martin and Southampton are incredibly reluctant to allow players to enter the final year of their respective deals as it increases the chances of the club losing them for free at the end of their deals.
That situation has materialised this summer, with Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams both leaving for nothing as their contracts ended at the end of June.
Bednarek has a contract offer on the table – with Kyle Walker-Peters the other notable player in the same position – but if he does not sign it in the next few weeks Southampton will have to be ruthless and look to sell.
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It is a situation the club seem to have prepared for, with three of the seven summer arrivals centre-backs and left-back Taylor also able to play the position.
If Bednarek commits his future to the Saints then he will undoubtedly be a very important player this season but, if not, then Martin will have to sanction the sale of one of his most consistent performers.