Southampton have recently suffered big setbacks with injuries to right-back Yukinari Sugawara and defensive midfielder Will Smallbone followin g the encounter against Leicester City. Furthermore, Russell Martin’s side has conceded three goals in five separate Premier League games this season, indicating the need for some lineup adjustments in the Southampton defenders.
Captain Jack Stephens has missed four league games for Southampton owing to a red card and is trying to regain strong form. Promising defenders Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood, and Juan Larios have yet to appear in the Premier League this season and will consequently receive less playing time throughout the season. Thus, Southampton should consider signing an experienced Premier League defender on a short-term contract during the January transfer window.
Create a reliable defense for the second half of the season. £4.7 million Ex-Saints star tipped to return to Southampton
Furthermore, the Saints might sign a familiar player, as former Southampton star fullback Cedric Soares is currently available on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal at the end of the previous season. Soares joined St. Mary’s Stadium in 2015 for £4.7 million from Sporting, where he spent five years.
Soares made 138 appearances for Southampton across all competitions, scoring fourteen goals. Furthermore, the 33-year-old’s versatility as a right-back and right midfielder allowed additional tactical freedom to previous manager Ronald Koeman, who guided Southampton to play in the UEFA Europa League in consecutive seasons. Despite being Arsenal’s third-choice right-back for the previous two seasons behind Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Soares still has an excellent recovery pace and tenacious tackling skills. The UEFA Euro 2016 winner is experienced with the athleticism and superb decision-making required in the Premier League, making him a viable second-choice right-back following Sugawara. Furthermore, Soares helps to the buildup play, allowing Cameron Archer and Tyler Dibling to find greater space in the final third as they go forward. As a result, Soares might be an excellent all-around squad player for Southampton, and it remains to be seen whether the Saints decide to sign him on a free transfer. the January transfer window.
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