What now for Victor Wanyama?
It’s been an interesting one for Southampton this year; there have been plenty of good moments throughout the season so far, but of course, there have been moments of stupidity and anger regarding the performances.
Thankfully, the return of Fraser Forster and some tactical genius on the part of Saints boss Ronald Koeman helped to turn the ship around, starting off a five game unbeaten run that have also contained a simply incredible five clean sheets in as many games.
Plaudits for the Southampton back line have been earned and rightly so, after the sublime individual performances from Fraser Forster and defender Virgil van Dijk, as well as the versatility of Ryan Bertrand, the emergence of Matt Targett and the threat from Cedric Soares down the right hand side.
However, what has been particularly impressive in their uprising has come in the form of a solid foundation built around the midfield.
Although the middle of the park has been frequently chopped and changed by Ronald Koeman, with the quartet of Jordy Clasie, Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse and Steven Davis all playing a big part this season, a huge amount of praise has gone to the controversial powerhouse that is Victor Wanyama.
In the summer, there was plenty of talk regarding a move away from Wanyama, with a reported transfer request being handed in by the Kenya captain as well as long-term interest from North London duo Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. However, Southampton stood firm on their stance of disallowing Wanyama’s departure from St Mary’s and after overcoming mental uncomfortability at the club, Wanyama got down to work under Ronald Koeman.
Although Wanyama had come back into the side for the Saints and had found his feet once again, showing signs of his old self, there was something quite big missing with Wanyama – consistency and discipline.
So far this season, Wanyama has made 22 appearances in the Premier League, but has managed to pick up a highly unimpressive seven yellow cards as well as the more concerning three red cards.
The first dismissal for Wanyama this season came in the form of a sending off whilst Saints were 2-0 up against Bournemouth in November as the Kenyan made two rash, unnecessary tackles to find himself given his marching orders.
The second came just two months later against Norwich, in the midst of Southampton’s treacherous mid-season form, where they went on a terrible run of nine defeats in 11 games. It was a similar story to the Bournemouth game, as Wanyama’s focus drifted elsewhere and two unnecessary tackles came in and he was sent off. Norwich went on to score shortly after the dismissal and win the game 1-0.
However, the most recent sending off for Wanyama and certainly the most debatable one came in the form of his straight red against West Ham.
Wanyama lost possession, and of course focus, in the middle of the park against the Hammers, before desperately trying to take the ball back from playmaker Dimitri Payet, however his poorly timed lunge on the Frenchman was deemed as rash enough to be dismissed for the second time this season from referee Mark Clattenburg, and third overall.
The dismissal of Wanyama has sparked a lot of debate as to why the red was awarded and whether or not it was justifiable, however I cannot help but feel as though Clattenburg shouldn’t have even been given a decision to make.
The initial challenge from Wanyama was admittedly late and clumsy, however after replays from different angles have emerged of the challenge, it is fairly hard to justify the offence as a red card and a professional foul.
It’s open for interpretation as to whether or not Wanyama’s tackle was in the style of a scissor action, with the intent of bringing Payet down and bringing the play to a halt, however there are no question marks regarding the Kenyan’s naivety when attempting to regain possession.
A yellow card may have been the consequence for Wanyama, however one thing that was clear for everyone to see was the simply staggering influence of player power in the modern game at the highest level.
After Payet had gone down in apparent agony from Wanyama’s challenge, which despite the recklessness and potential danger, made very little contact with him, a flock of West Ham players crowded Clattenburg. After witnessing the influence first hand and seeing that the referee was in contention to award a yellow card to Wanyama as opposed to the red which he somehow decided mid-way through punishing the Kenyan with, it’s safe to say that the influence has become too much for the referee’s to handle, it seems.
But it was a different story for the Saints in their toughly fought win over West Ham, as they were on the receiving end of some inconsistency from Clattenburg and their respect for the referee coming back to bite them in a sense.
Although Saints came away with a big three points, West Ham subsitute Sam Byram came lunging into Ryan Bertrand with a horrifically timed challenge, with his studs up, only to be rewarded with a yellow card for what was a red card offence, despite minimal contact yet again. The difference? Southampton players didn’t act as though Bertrand had been viciously clattered in to.
However, regarding Wanyama, there’s plenty to consider regarding the decision to dismiss the 24-year-old, but if his focus was in tact for a split second more, as well as the tendency to be reckless and too forceful in the challenge had left him, there would be no debate about his recent performances.
Despite recent troubles, Wanyama found himself in good form before the game against the Hammers, turning in five exceptional defensive performances since the change in form for Saints and impressing many.
But now, with the Wanyama banned for a staggering five games, other options must be explored for the present and possibly the future.
Whilst Wanyama’s future at Southampton still remains doubtful after reports suggested the Kenyan had stalled on contract talks with the club, a move away in the summer does seem like it’s increasingly possible but the real question is; would he be that much of a loss?
Of course, a huge statement of intent would be produced from Wanyama remaining at the club beyond the summer, however it is not as though Southampton do not have ready made replacements at their disposal.
Oriol Romeu in particular has been exceptional when called upon for the Saints, with many believing that his abilities are excessive of Wanyama’s capabilities as a natural midfielder, as well as Jordy Clasie improving game by game with the club.
Both James Ward-Prowse and Harrison Reed are developing well from the youth academy upwards, also, providing another alternative to Wanyama during the five game tenure whilst he is banned as well as for the long-term future.
There is no doubt that Wanyama, when focused, is an excellent and destructive midfielder that is often perceived as one of the best around. However when his head is elsewhere, things do not quite go to planned and discipline goes out of the window.
A question that will be hanging over the heads of the Southampton faithful as they overlook their side making a charge for Europe remains imminent – Wanyama in, or Wanyama out?