Saints Midfielders Linked With Moves Away Saturday, 16th Jul 2016 23:47 It is not just incoming transfers that Saints are being linked with, but outgoing ones too as the press try to make up a few rumours in a quiet weekend for Saints.
The biggest rumour is that German club Schalke are looking to bring in Dusan Tadic from Saints, a few weeks ago this might have been a goers with it being common knowledge in the club that Tadic had fallen out with Ronald Koeman and was looking to move.
But now with Claude Puel installed at St Mary's and a new contract offer imminent it looks more likely that Tadic will stay at Saints unless the French manager deems him surplus to requirements.
With the formation used in the USA friendly game suggesting that Saints would look to the full backs to add the width to the side that could leave Tadic fighting for his place in the midfield, so he might feel the formation that Puel uses might not suit him.
Second outgoing rumour Is that several clubs are chasing Jordy Clasie, Everton are of course one of those linked for obvious reasons, but strangely Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United are all being linked.
The last three clubs you would assume that they would be looking for a higher quality than Clasie who did not have the best of seasons for Saints due to injury ruining his pre season, however it could be that Saints could be looking to cash in on Clasie, in Baltimore Claude Puel used only a single holding midfielder rather than the two favoured by his predecessor, that means with the arrival of Hojbjerg Saints have three specialised holding players in Clasie, Romeu and Hojbjerg, not to mention other options such as Steven Davis, Harrison Reed and James Ward Prowse who could also play the role.
That could mean that if a decent bid came in for Clasie then Saints would consider it.
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kenis added 00:02 - Jul 17
We shouldn't be letting anyone else leave, including Tadic and Claise, both will be key players this season, even with the new arrivals / potential change in shape and resulting competition for places. | | |
perazi added 00:20 - Jul 17
I could live with Clasie being sold. I know he had a few setbacks in his first EPL season, but a good offer would be tempting. I'm more worried by Redmond being the direct replacement for Mane; no disrespect intended to Redmond who may be a handy player, but it's a huge downgrade - our attacking force looks threadbare as things stand. | | |
truthfulsaint added 03:19 - Jul 17
Perazi. Redmond will be a sensation this year. He's been getting better and better. As a coach I watched his performances last season & it's obvious with a team upgrade he'll do even better. I do put him on a par with Mane. Both have lot's of room for improvement & I bet Redmond scores more goals than Mane did this eason | | |
BUCK added 08:51 - Jul 17
I fully agree with you truthfulsaint. Redmond is a class act. I think we forget too easily mane had no form in both seasons during the winter months. | | |
bstokesaint added 09:45 - Jul 17
We really don't want to be letting anyone else go now. Just players in. As for Redmond, I've got to agree with the latter two posts. Redmond is a quality player, and has potential to be better than Mane. Despite his incredible pace Mane isn't the most technically gifted player. He gets his chances and free kicks from often miscontrollimg and then bailing himself out with his lightning second touch. We all witnessed his barren spell when he couldn't buy a goal. I'd still have loved him to stay, but Redmond will be decent for us. I've monitored him since he were first linked a while back and he's a really good young prospect. Stop comparing to Mane just on pace! Noone's that fast. | | |
the_saint added 09:58 - Jul 17
I also think Redmond is a good replacement for mane although mane was unplayable on his day there was not enough of them attacking players are rated on their goals and assists and with Redmond playing for a better team and with our coaching staff I think he will provide more over the season. Can't see saints letting any more go as we will need a bigger squad with all the games we have. | | |
IWOZTHERE added 10:18 - Jul 17
Surprised at the Clasie rumour but I wouldn't be too disappointed. I've always 'plugged' Romeu in front of him, I think we've got enough 'solid unspectacular' in the squad and we may need to 'freeup' wages for another addition. Tadic, I think, is a different 'animal'. He may be inconsistent but he's got that X factor and we lost a lot of that when Mane went. | | |
TimSaint added 11:46 - Jul 17
The Tadic rumour originated from the Daily Mail school of trumped up stories of another Saints player leaving St Marys. If they bothered to do their homework, as Nick says, they would know that he was being offered a new deal and was no longer after a move, now the RK has left. Clasie - the rumour I read was an absolute nothing story - stating that all the clubs linked to him were odds of 12/1 for him to join them. Surely if he was going, the odds would be much shorter than that !! They were just rehashing the clubs that had previously shown an interest in him before we signed him - and of course Koeman. Despite him being a winger, I thought Redmond was purchased as a direct replacement for Juanmi and that we are still awaiting the Mane (and Pelle) replacement. To state that it is OBVIOUS that Redmond will be SENSATIONAL this coming season, or that he will outscore Mane's goals tally from last season, is somewhat short sighted. Yes he is a good signing, a good prospect and has the potential to really kick on, given the right coaching and players around him, but his goal tallies are a little shy. Last season (albeit with a relegated side) he managed 6 league goals, the season before that in the Champ he managed 4 + a further 2 in the play-offs and in the season before that in the Prem, he managed just 1. Yes it shows he is improving year on year and he will have my full support this coming season, but I am not so sure that he will outscore or out perform Mane - but maybe he will in a season or 2's time :o) | | |
sidsaint added 12:47 - Jul 17
We have to pull up the drawbridge now or we will definitely be seen as a selling ckub. Tadic's stats are very impressive and Claise probably needed the season to bed in. Come on Les enough is enough. | | |
TimSaint added 13:55 - Jul 17
Come on then truthfulsaint, let's have a charity bet with your scoring prediction for Redmond this season. Shall we say 50 quid to Saints Foundation ? Last Season Mane scored the following : League = 11 goals FA Cup = 0 goals League Cup = 3 goals Europa = 1 goals Total = 15 Redmond will therefore need to score 16 or more in all competitions this season in order for me to donate, if not then you donate. If he scores 15 in all,then we can both donate 25 quid to Saints Foundation - agreed ? In a way, I hope I lose, as it will mean that Redmond will have had a Great season, will have contributed well and I would be donating to a worthy cause !! :o) | | |
wopper added 16:00 - Jul 17
Who the hell wants Clasie? | | |
richsaints added 21:13 - Jul 17
Not bothered about clasie at all thought when he wasn't injured he struggled to do his job both physically and speed of the game as for tadic would love to keep him true quality but as I have learned over the past few seasons no one is irreplaceable just need to make sure we replace as we go first couple of months will be crucial as usual for the season. | | |
BoondockSaint added 22:46 - Jul 17
Don't forget that Mane also set up Shane Long for a few of his goals-either with a pass or making space for him. My worry is that we will not only miss Mane's goals, but that Shane Long's production will go down. Hope Redmond proves not to be a relegation player, but remember, in all sports: you cant' teach speed. | | |
richsaints added 23:30 - Jul 17
Mane was very hot and cold at best mostly cold the spine of the side is strong Forster ,van d, Davis , long/Rodriguez/Austin we just need to add a few pieces to compliment them . Those that have left are very replaceable especially considering the money received . | | |
SanMarco added 00:35 - Jul 18
Can't see that Clasie had a good enough season to get on to Nick's "cash in" list. I wouldn't be devestated if he left as long as he was properly replaced. Tadic we should keep. I hope those in charge are not thinking like you richsaints, seems slightly overconfident to me. | | |
SaintDownUnder added 03:59 - Jul 18
All depends on Clasie's wages. Most of the transfer activity is driven by the need to operate withing an effective wage 'cap' with players being sold to create capacity to tie down key members of the squad to longer term deals VVD, Bertrand, Forster etc etc. if clasie is on a decent wedge, the squad can cover his role and we can get value on a sale price then its logical we'd sell him. That's why mane went - not only do we get a replacement in Redmond but there is an extra $22m plus a likely reduction on our wage bill that can be used to lock down somebody like Bertrand or free up wage to attract a replacement for Pelle. So i think Redmond is a direct replacement, makes sense to me. The question i'm more interested in who replaces Pelle.......? | | |
Bettwsresident added 07:29 - Jul 18
Re Pelle, the replacement is Austin/ JaRod...both are effectively new players having sat out last season. Both were class acts before they got injured. I agree with the comments about Tadic...he is the assist king (and worth a goal or 8) and with our other 2 main providers (Pelle and Mane) gone it would be stupid for the the club to sell him. Clasie showed brief moments of his promise last season. He was supposed to be a midfielder who could quickly turn defence into attack, I would love to see him grow into the role this season, but think we do have other options in this area. | | |
richsaints added 07:34 - Jul 18
What an opportunity with Mane and Pelle gone for J Rod and Austin to show what they have got yes we still need to bring more in but really dont see the loss of mane,pelle,wanyama as a big deal none of them that vital and far less worried than i was when we lost lallana,lambert,shaw and co. | | |
perazi added 08:38 - Jul 18
Hey Richsaints - did you watch any games last season? "Loss of Mane, Wanyama and Mane no big deal". Wow. | | |
Scrooge added 08:49 - Jul 18
To perazazi, richsaints is probably referring to the many games where Mane went missing and also didn't score, plus Wanyama's lengthy suspensions. | | |
Scrooge added 08:50 - Jul 18
^ perazi, sorry mate, typed your name wrong there. | | |
perazi added 09:47 - Jul 18
That's alright Scrooge. I take your point about Vic being missing through suspension. But his impact for most of the three seasons he was here was immense. The "quiet" run Mane had really began when Ron dropped him for being late to a meeting before the Norwich game; subsequently he barely started a game for several weeks. Surely you'd agree though that Mane is top class and a unique attacking force - as things stand we don't have anyone likely to replace him adequately. I haven't mentioned Pelle's exit because I think it was a good move for both him and the Club - relying on J-Rod and Charlie Austin to fill his absence though is a risky tactic given their injury history, particularly J-Rod. And then there's Long who had a great season, but he has never been a prolific, consistent goalscorer, and in large part he benefited greatly from linking up with Mane. To say that the departed trio were not vital to Saints will probably come back to haunt richsaints and greatly undervalues their impact and contributions. | | |
BoondockSaint added 14:05 - Jul 18
Redmond has to score 15 goals to be a "direct replacement" for Mane. Saying he will develop into a great player means nothing to us right now or are we just developing him for the Scouse or Spuds so they can benefit in a couple of years? If we don't bring in players now to replace and add to the 29 goals of Mane and Pelle, then we are going to be in a relegation battle with the pundits saying "we told you so, they are just a feeder club". | | |
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