Southampton are currently fourth in the table and on a run of 11 games unbeaten, but with less than a month until the January transfer window opens the club will be making plans to improve their squad for the second half of the season.
Russell Martin should be happy with how his new team have started the season following relegation in the summer and a big overhaul of both personnel and playing style.
The recent 2-0 win over Cardiff City was arguably the club’s most complete performance of the season so far and the St Mary’s side will be confident they can successfully negotiate a busy December and continue to chase down the automatic promotion spots.
However, with January fast approaching the club will thinking about how they can improve the squad and whether there are players who can be sold to make room for new signings. With that in mind, here are three players that we think could be playing for their Southampton future over the next month.
Joe Aribo must build on substitute appearances
One player whose future is far from certain is Joe Aribo. Signed from Rangers in the summer of 2022, the Nigerian has never found himself consistently in the team, with four managers now struggling to work out how best to use him.
Aribo has started just one league game since Martin took charge in the summer, a 1-0 loss to Ipswich Town, and has failed to make his mark when coming off the bench. However, in Saturday’s win over Cardiff, Aribo came on for Stuart Armstrong after 62 minutes and impressed.
The game was comfortable by the time Aribo entered the fray, so he must now build on his solid half an hour next time he is called upon. The 27-year-old is yet to have a real impact on a game this season but hit the post, made two key passes, won five duels and had a pass completion of 90% in his 30 minute cameo which will give fans hope he can contribute more moving forward.
Whilst Aribo has featured regularly off the bench this season, he has done little to be considered an irreplaceable member of the squad and should a team come in for the ex-Charlton man with a reasonable offer the club may be tempted to take the money and reinvest in the squad. If Aribo wants to stay at the club then he must build on the Cardiff display.
One thing that will please Martin is that Aribo looked much more comfortable being the most advanced of the three man midfield and this should be the position he is used in moving forward.
Sékou Mara likely to be linked with move once again
Sékou Mara is another player who has had to try and make the most of appearances off the bench this campaign and one that has to improve if he is to be kept at Southampton.
With Ross Stewart’s injury setback and Che Adams potentially leaving in January with his contract expiring in the summer, Mara should be looking to prove to Martin that he can be relied upon to lead the line. The 21-year-old Frenchman is another who has failed to crowbar himself into being a regular starter under four different managers and, although he has youth on his side, fans’ patience is wearing slightly thin.
Werder Bremen wanted to take the former Bordeaux striker on loan in the summer but Southampton rebutted the Bundesliga side. It is clear they see enormous potential in Mara but it is time for the youngster to start repaying the faith; his two goals for the club nowhere near enough despite both coming against Manchester City.
Currently, you would have to say that Adam Armstrong, Carlos Alcaraz and Adams are all above Mara in the pecking order, whilst Stewart would be too if he was fit. However, with Stewart injured until at least late January and Adams likely to move, there is certainly place for Mara in the squad if he proves he is worthy of it.
Samuel Edozie must build on positive start to season
The final name on the list of players who need to prove their value ahead of January is 20-year-old Samuel Edozie.
The England under-20 winger is unlikely to be sold given Southampton signed him from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 with an eye on the future, but the club could sign another winger if they do not feel they can depend on Edozie.
With Kamaldeen Sulemana injured until the new year and likely to be the subject of transfer interest, there is a big opportunity for Edozie to show that he should be the man to fill the void on the left-wing left by the Ghanaian. Should he do this then he could save his club a lot of money on a replacement and earmark the position as his own for years to come.
Edozie had a strong start to the season and has scored twice and assisted once in the Championship, but with Ryan Fraser trusted ahead of him recently he has found chances difficult to come by. In fact, the tricky wide-man has only come off the bench in one of the Saints’ last five games.
With Sulemana injured, and six games between now and the transfer window opening, this period could be vital if Edozie is to be a regular for Southampton going forward.