Southampton’s season is in danger of drifting, and new boss Tonda Eckert potentially has one transfer window to make the changes to salvage something from this campaign for his Southampton team.
The Saints sit 14th in the Championship table, seven points off the play-off places.
Saints’ Sporting Director, Johannes Spors, insists that the club won’t be making big moves in the window:
“We won’t be big spenders in January for two reasons. The club is not in a position to let us be big spenders, and we don’t need it. In the winter, we work on bits and pieces here and there, but we want to give stability to the group.”
However, the club is clearly in the market, where additions could be important.
Southampton have had goalkeeper issues for years, and, excluding last season, where Aaron Ramsdale was a reliable man in the net, the club has had a merry-go-round between Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy.
Bazunu, the team’s number one since Eckert became manager, has faced 19.12 xG but conceded 24 goals – poor numbers that have become a theme for the Irishman.
Peretz, set to sign for the club from Bayern Munich if the move is sanctioned, will be a success if he can prove to be a reliable shot-stopper for Southampton, as well as build out from the back.
The Saints’ defensive issues are one of the main reasons they are so low in the Championship table – with only three sides having scored more goals than them.
Suited well to both a back four and back three, Doekhi is a good set-piece threat and offers everything Tonda Eckert needs in a defender.
The Dutchman’s Union Berlin contract expires in the summer, and the Bundesliga club is reportedly open to cashing in early.
Leeds United have an active interest, but if a move does not materialise, could Johannes Spors go shopping in Germany yet again?
Sunderland’s third-choice striker has had limited minutes in the Premier League, and at 20 years of age, needs consistent game time to improve.
A versatile player, capable of playing the athletic role that Southampton want utilised up front in their direct attacking system, Mayenda scored 10 goals and assisted 5 in 40 games for the Black Cats last season.
A loan move could be a really clever coup, and beneficial to all parties.
Tonda Eckert said ahead of the window, “I’m very happy with the players and the squad. Johannes [Spors] gave an interview that we’re not going to move heavily in January.
At the same time, you always have eyes and ears open, but that’s a constant process.”
But he, as well as anybody, will know that incomings will be key if the Saints want to push on this campaign.