Will Any Southampton Players Follow Mauricio Pochettino To Tottenham?
By Logan Holmes
The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham manager has brought the inevitable speculation on which Southampton players would follow him to Spurs.
Southampton Football Club must feel that they are under siege at the moment. After their successful season in which Mauricio Pochettino led them to an 8th-placed finish, they have already lost their manager who has taken over at Tottenham while Ricky Lambert is reported by BBC Sport to be close to completing an unexpected transfer to Liverpool who have also put in a bid for Adam Lallana.
Having introduced a number of exciting young players who have progressed through the club’s Academy into their team, Southampton are fearing an exodus of their star players with all the top clubs interested in acquiring their service. Luke Shaw has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Adam Lallana is a player who also interests Tottenham who have been linked with Jay Rodiguez even though he is out with injury and will not be fit until well into the new season.
As soon as Pochettino agreed to become Tottenham manager, there was the usual speculation in the media about which of the Southampton players would follow him to White Hart Lane. The names of Nathan Clyne and Victor Wanyama have been added to possible interest in Lallana and Rodiguez.
Which Southampton Player Should Tottenham Sign?
Luke Shaw: a left back and a problem position for Tottenham which the club has failed to resolve over the past three seasons. Manchester United are thought to be favourites with Chelsea also showing interest. Shaw thought highly of Pochettino and tweeted after the former’s appointment at White Hart Lane.
"Would like to thank Mauricio for everything he has done for me. Great manager, great guy and has helped me a lot. Wish him all the best."
Shaw would be an ideal signing for Tottenham where he would be guaranteed regular Premier League experience. It would be a good move for him to get experience with a club looking to break into the top-4 but Spurs would baulk at paying a £30m fee for an 18-year-old full-back. Shaw, however, seems set on a move to Old Trafford although Louis van Gaal may have other views now that Patrice Evra has just signed a one year extension to his United contract.
Adam Lallana: was Southampton captain last season and his impressive displays took him into the England team and the squad for the World Cup. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder who scored against Spurs at White Hart Lane has made over 260 appearances for Southampton and looks set to leave St. Mary’s this summer.
Jay Rodriguez: was another ‘certainty’ for the World Cup Finals until injury brought his season to an early end. The striker has excelled under Pochettino and he showed great composure when scoring the opening goal against Tottenham last March. Spurs and their new manager are reported by the Daily Mail to be keen on Rodriguez but the club will be anxious to see how he recovers from injury before making a move so it could possibly be a delayed January transfer option.
Nathan Clyne:
Different to any other manager
the England Under-21 right-back had a high regard for his boss at Southampton. His comments on Pochettino were reported by the
, Clyne said,
"He planted it into our heads that even if we were up against bigger teams and bigger players, we could compete at the same level as them. He taught us never to fear them or be intimidated just because of their big names or their big reputations."
Dejan Lovren:
a top class centre-back
the Croatian central defender signed for Southampton last year from Lyon where he played with Hugo Lloris. Lovren was praised for his defensive work by SkySports pundit Gary Neville who described him, after 4 months at Southampton as “the signing of the season so far.” Lovren showed great ability to organise his defence and impressed in his first season in the Premier League.
Victor Wanyama: was disappointed that Pochettino left for Tottenham but has rejected reports that he is to follow his former manager. The 22-year-old defensive midfielder plays for Kenya and commenting on Pochettino, the Daily Express reported his comments,
"I learnt a lot from him, he taught me more and that’s why I have grown as a player and there is a big difference compared to when I was at Celtic. He played a big role in my career development."
James Ward-Prowse: the 19-year-old midfield player has made 58 appearances in the past two seasons for Southampton. He is a regular in the England Under-21 team, having played 10 games. Another product of the Southampton Academy.
Which Southampton Player Would You Like To See Join Spurs?
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Last week Alan wrote of Southampton’s successful Academy producing players who have progressed to the first team and the England team, referring to them as the “new West Ham”.
With Mauricio Pochettino recently installed as Head Coach at White Hart Lane, if a number of his former players from St. Mary’s, follow him to Tottenham, Spurs could become the “new Southampton”.