Russell Martin could sign a ‘wonderful’ replacement for Kyle Walker-Peters if he leaves Southampton this summer.
After securing promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, Southampton will soon get to work in the summer transfer window.
Russell Martin will need to bolster his squad with some quality talent, especially having watched Sheffield United, Luton Town and Burnley make an instant return to the Championship.
Martin will be eager to avoid that narrative by holding onto his most talented players, including right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.
It seemed inevitable that Walker-Peters would leave St Mary’s if the Saints remained in the second tier, though now they’re a Premier League club, there is hope they can retain the 27-year-old.
Sadly, that doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to stay as former club Tottenham have previously monitored his situation alongside Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
GIVEMESPORT have revealed that Walker-Peters is ‘fielding interest’ from elsewhere and as a result, Martin could line up a replacement for the Englishman.
Southampton linked with West Ham’s Ben Johnson
The same outlet has reported that Southampton are interested in signing West Ham right-back Ben Johnson on a free transfer.
It is claimed Premier League rivals Crystal Palace are considered the favourites to sign him but the South Coasters returning to the top flight has made them an ‘intriguing’ option.
With his future set to be resolved by the end of the week, Southampton could move for the 24-year-old having placed him on their radar for a while.
The report even claims the South Coasters could sell Walker-Peters, land Johnson on a free transfer and invest the money into other areas of their squad.
That wouldn’t be a wise decision, though, as the Hammers academy graduate isn’t an upgrade on Southampton’s current right-back.
Ben Johnson isn’t an upgrade on Kyle Walker-Peters
Southampton will do their best to retain Walker-Peters this summer as he’s arguably Martin’s most influential player.
In the Championship last term, he ranked in the top 1% against his positional peers for progressive carries, the top 5% for successful take-ons, the top 2% for progressive passes and the top 4% for touches (att pen).
Statistically, he was the best full-back in the division and he deservedly earned a spot in the Team of the Season.
Walker-Peters is excited for a Premier League return with the Saints, although if interest emerges from the likes of Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal, his head could be turned elsewhere.
However, if he does leave St Mary’s, Johnson isn’t the player they should replace him with.
Johnson played just 14 times in the top flight last term, so the sample size is small, though the statistics show he’d be a huge downgrade.
| 23/24 statistics per 90 | Kyle Walker-Peters | Ben Johnson |
| Progressive passes | 7.12 | 3.76 |
| Progressive carries | 5.83 | 2.79 |
| Successful take-ons | 1.94 | 1.53 |
| Pass completion | 89.7% | 75.1% |
| Touches (att pen) | 3.24 | 0.56 |
| Tackles | 1.73 | 1.67 |
| Interceptions | 1.14 | 0.84 |
Lauded as a “wonderful professional” by Stuart Pearce, Johnson produces far less attacking output than Walker-Peters, with the Southampton man also better at defending.
Although it could be said Johnson has been held back by David Moyes’ defensive system last term, Walker-Peters is still by far better in each attacking metric and the Saints would need a better player to fill the void if he was to leave.