For the most part, Southampton have depth in every position in their squad currently.
There is one position in which you could argue is a problem position due to the lack of competition and, at times the performances of those that have played there, and that is left-back.
Ryan Manning joined on a free transfer in the summer having excelled under Southampton manager Russell Martin at Swansea City and, whilst he has put in some good performances, his output has not been anywhere near the five goals and ten assists he contributed last season and he has been suspect defensively.
French left-back Romain Perraud was allowed to join Nice on loan at the start of the season, with the Ligue 1 club also having an option to buy; Martin explaining that the 26-year-old did not suit the style of football he wanted to play.
This has meant that Manning has been the only senior natural left-back available this season. That is because 20-year-old Juan Larios has suffered numerous setbacks in his bid to return from the injury that has seen him not play a competitive minute of football since defeat to Newcastle United in November 2022; remarkably Ralph Hasenhuttl’s last game in charge of the club.
Could Juan Larios be Southampton left-back solution?
It has been a long road back for Larios, who had made just five appearances for Southampton prior to the long-term injury that was followed by the hamstring injury that has kept him out this season.
The Spaniard joined the club for £6 million on the summer transfer deadline day in 2022 as an 18-year-old and was one of four signings from Manchester City that summer alongside Samuel Edozie, Gavin Bazunu and Roméo Lavia who has since departed the club.
For the Saints to spend that kind of money on a player who had never played a minute of senior football shows how well thought of the Spain under-19 international is. Larios is very technically gifted, perhaps no surprise given his footballing education includes time at Sevilla, Barcelona and Manchester City, but he also possesses an aggressive side that makes him a tough opponent despite his diminutive frame.
This could have been a really big season for Larios who has instead had to watch as the likes of Edozie and Shea Charles have been given their pathway into regular first-team football.
This week, Larios was pictured training with the senior squad and was given a warm welcome back by club captain Stephens. With just ten games of the Championship season remaining, it seems unlikely that Martin will risk a return this season and will instead allow the young defender to get a full pre-season under his belt ahead of the next campaign.
Given his obvious talent, ability to play both left and right-back and the trust Southampton placed in such a young player by bringing him to the club, Larios is the type of player who could be a real asset to Martin. Whilst Manning is well versed in what Martin wants from his full-backs, given his obvious defensive flaws Larios should be eyeing up the Ireland international’s starting spot.
Given his age, provided the long injury lay-off has not had any long-term repercussions, Larios has a real chance to be the permanent solution to a position in which Southampton have found problematic at times this season, with Jack Stephens, James Bree, Kyle Walker-Peters and 17-year-old Jayden Meghoma all having played the role at some stage this campaign.
Whilst Manning is a player Martin clearly likes a lot, the competition for his place is no bad thing and Larios could save the club a lot of money on a ready-made starting left-back moving forward.
Larios has Russell Martin backing
Speaking on the unfortunate injury setback at the end of September, Martin said that Larios is “such a brilliant, brilliant lad and deserves better luck than he’s had.”
When you consider Larios had just made a big move and was competing for a place in a Premier League side at the time of the initial injury at such a young age, it is difficult not to feel sympathy for him.
However, any worries that he would be forgotten about in his absence were quelled by Martin who, when asked about replacing Perraud, responded: “I think we have some backup for Ryan Manning already in the building in Juan (Larios).
“I know he’s had injury problems and it’s easy to forget about him, but we shouldn’t because he is a fantastic footballer.
“He’s back training full-time now. He’s tenacious and really technically gifted – we have really good competition there already.
“He’s a natural left-back but he can play both sides. Now he is pushing Ryan really hard and he knows that he is breathing down his neck”.
Having the support of his manager will have been music to Larios’ ears during a difficult period. Whilst the injury setback prevented him from staking a claim for the starting left-back spot at the club this campaign, an injury free summer may mean next season is when Southampton fans finally see just how good Larios is.